Depression - hidden causes in the diet

Nowadays, there are more and more cases of depression. When a person is in a pessimistic mood and does not have the will for any sort of activities it is considered that he or she is suffering from depression. Depression is a state of mind. There are various degrees of depression and a person can be slightly affected by it but it can also make a huge influence on a person's social functioning and activities of every day life. In some cases a person can simply lack self-esteem but in other cases a person may suffer from hormonal imbalance.

Diet and depression

Certain studies have confirmed that diet influences the appearance of certain types of depression. Because of the intensive processing techniques that are present nowadays, the food lacks some very important ingredients like omega 3 fatty acids and some amino acids.

Omega 3

Lots of people know that omega 3 is an essential ingredient that the body needs. People who do not intake enough of these fats may suffer from depression, anxiety, aggressiveness and in some cases insomnia. Certain researches have shown that people who suffer from depression have a lower level of omega 3 in their system. In addition to this, children who suffer from ADHD can even make the condition even worse if they do not intake enough amounts of omega 3 fatty acids. Patients who suffer from bipolar depression have improved their mood a lot by simply consuming more omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in oily fish like salmon and mackerel, flaxseed walnuts, olive oil and pumpkin seeds.

Amino acids

The body cannot produce amino acids so a person needs to intake them via diet. For instance, tryptophan is an important amino acid that is converted into serotonin which is a natural relaxant. Another very important amino acid is lysine and a person who lacks it may suffer from fatigue, irritability and bad concentration. This amino acid can be found in meat, chicken and eggs.

Doctors also recommend increased intake of carbohydrates when a person is suffering from depression. Carbohydrates are important for the release of serotonin. Some studies have shown that the lack of serotonin may cause depression. Complex carbohydrates can be found in brown rice, whole grain wheat, bran, fruits and vegetables.

Lack of vitamins C and B12, foliate and magnesium are also the known causes of depression. On the other hand, overuse of alcohol and narcotics can also cause depression.