The Nutritionist's Take on: Depression

It has only been comparatively recently that depression has begun to be accepted as a 'real' disease … and in some circles it hasn't even come that far. So it is unsurprising that there is little information available about the link between nutrition and depression. Treatments to date have focused almost exclusively on cognitive behavior therapy or on drugs affecting neurotransmitters. Both of these treatments have their places, but will be less effective if not supported by proper nutrition. Additionally, researchers are finding that depression can be prevented from developing, or from worsening, by maintaining a healthy diet with organic whole food vitamins. Today we look at the nutritionist's take on depression.

Depression and a balanced diet

When we become depressed, it is rare that we think of our problem as being within the body. Most of the time we tell ourselves that if our job was different, our spouse was different, or our finances were different we'd be fine. So it is difficult to recognize that it might be your diet that is causing or worsening the depression.

The key thing to remember is that if your body and brain were healthier, you would probably feel completely differently about your challenges in life. You would take an active rather than defeatist role when you come up against a problem. The peaks and crashes that many foods and drinks cause in our bodies only contribute to feelings of helplessness and not being able to cope. So, to change the way you feel about your problems:

• Avoid caffeine: You'll first feel wound up and nervous, and then the crash will give you headaches and create a loss of focus. Wean yourself off coffee with tea, then switch to water.
• Never skip a meal: The blood sugar crashes that this creates also affect your other hormones. And, as women especially know, hormones have an enormous role in creating your moods.
• Cut out alcohol: Especially if you're also undergoing cognitive behavior therapy. Alcohol completely changes your 'cognition' - this is not something we generally have control over. If you are trying to be positive, alcohol usually doesn’t help.
• Fruits and veg, or whole food multivitamins: These have all the nutrients that your body needs to create the levels of neurotransmitters and hormones you need to feel good.

Medication and proper nutrition

If antidepressant medication is recommended (though it usually is only for cases of moderate to severe depression), it often becomes difficult to maintain a good nutritional regime … and the lack of vital nutrients and swings in blood sugar will then counteract some of the benefits of the medicine. If you do need to take antidepressants and find them affecting your appetite, you should also take whole food multivitamins to help make sure your body has bioavailable nutrients.