Diet for Depression - Make your Diet Plan

29 Apr

Posted by Dr John Anne as Depression

When one becomes depressed, energy level and drive are much lower than usual. Enthusiasm for most things, including meals, is lost. Healthy eating practices can suffer as a result. Undesirable weight loss or weight gain, inadequate vitamin and mineral intakes, and alcohol excess are too often associated with depression. Most at risk are elderly adults, those who live alone and those who lack good social support to help encourage eating despite a poor appetite.

But your diet could possibly have an indirect effect on your mood. To stay healthy and feel good, you need to be getting the right balance of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and fiber.

Foods greatly influence the brain’s behavior. A poor diet, especially one with excessive junk foods, is one of the common causes of depression. What we eat controls the levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which regulate our behavior–and neurotransmitters are closely linked to mood.

Carbohydrates are also known to be important regulators in mood swings and depressive behavior. Some people crave carbohydrates (sweets, starches, pasta) for the calming effect they have on the body while others crave carbohydrates for the energizing feeling they create. While it is known that carbohydrate consumption causes depression and mood swings in some people, it is not known exactly why. Doctors believe that increasing or decreasing the carbohydrates consumed can have a significant effect on mood. Care must be taken, however, to consume sensible amounts of carbohydrates, particularly those that contain sugar, so as not to aggravate any physical conditions that may be present.

Some essentials fats are needed by the brain to perform well and produce chemicals that promote the general well-being of the brain. Though fat is associated with heart disease and certain forms of cancers, yet some essential fatty acids are needed by the brain in order to function properly. Out of those, the most essential one is the Omega-3 fat, which is hard to get but can be eaten if you make extra efforts like going to the physician and asking for the best Omega-3 capsule. Never take medications yourself.

The amino acid tryptophan has been found to relieve depression and natural sources include turkey, chicken, fish, peas, nuts and peanut butter. Where possible eat them with carbohydrates, such as potatoes, pasta and rice, which facilitates the brain’s uptake of tryptophan..

garlic has beside its many health improving properties a slight mood elevating effect. Eat daily one clove of freshly chopped garlic.

Depression diet may well have a cyclical relationship. Depression may be exacerbated by dietary deficiency in the first place and can go onto lead to a loss of appetite or apathy towards food and wellbeing. A dietary approach to the treatment of depression is by no means the whole answer but it could play an important role.

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