Foods that can Cause Depression
Given those feelings of depression stems from the brain, choosing the type of foods to consume plays a major factor in causing depression. Eating the wrong selection of food can only make effects of living with depression worse. If the body does not get the nutrients needed to function normally, the brain will in turn punish the body with feelings of depression. There are other factors that cause depression, however it is important not to make the situation worse by not feeding the brain. Here are some of the nutrients that are responsible for enforcing depression.
Bad Cholesterol
Almost 20% of the brain is composed of cholesterol. Processed foods provide a dangerous mix of low quality cholesterols that the body does not utilize. The only clean source of cholesterol is from fruits and vegetables. It is best to consume a lot of omega 3' so that there will be a boost of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body. Hormones like testosterones are made up of cholesterol. This hormone reinforces a positive feeling within the body. When the body is unable to recognize the bad cholesterol ingested (LDL), the body is unable to produce the hormones necessary to reinforce the feel good emotion. This is why hemp nutrition helps to relieve depression. Let us analyze the foods that cause people to continue living with depression.
Processed Sugars
The brain is naturally addicted to sugar. When we consume complex sugars, the body uses more energy and time trying to process the sugar. Simple sugars such as fructose from fruits provide a better source of energy for the brain. Sucrose, which is found in processed foods, is much more difficult to transform into glucose, which the brain uses.
Fat
Processed fatty foods can cause depression. Having the correct ratio of fatty acids is essential for the correct chemical balance of the brain. The correct balance of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids should be a 3:1 ratio. Processed foods have only omega 6 fatty acids. The correct ratio is only found in fishes and hemp seed nuts. Fats are essential in the process of sleep, which plays a very important role in depression.
Too Much Protein
High levels of proteins in foods can cause depression. Protein is an important nutrient in order to fight depression. However, if too much protein is consumed, the body may not be able digest all the protein. A spike in the amino acid level of the body will drastically reduce the hormones needed to motivate the brain. This in fact will enforce depression. Processed protein will also trigger a spike in amino acids because the stomach is unable to digest it properly. Also, every time meat is reheated, the quality of the protein decreases.
Alcohol
This is a natural depressant. It is almost impossible for someone living with depression to recover while they are still drinking. Alcohol is strong reinforcer of depression. It damages the liver; therefore even if the person stops drinking, there body would not be able to efficiently feed the brain as it had done before. This may result in easy relapse to depression
Stimulants
Stimulant foods can cause depression by causing people to crash after a rush. Also leads to dependency. Stimulants are band aid treatments of depression. It temporarily excites the brain and gives the person a false sense of urgency, then wears off. This often leads to the person feeling depressed and needing another stimulant.
Processed foods
The stomach is unable to absorb artificial nutrients efficiently. All forms of processed foods help to cause depression. This is due to fact that the brain does not get the nutrients it needs. This is by far the main reason for depression. The body cannot get the nutrients it needs in the correct proportions. The nutrients that the body needs exist in unprocessed foods in the right proportions such as vegetable and nuts.
In conclusion, someone living with depression has to take into consideration their diet and lifestyle before coming up with a solution. That person may not need any medication. They may just need to supply their brain with the correct nutrients. Certain negative food and habits will also have to be excluded from their lifestyle. It is best to avoid foods that can cause depression.
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More Articles about Living With Depression
· What Suicidal Risk Factors to Look for in Those Living With Depression: This is basically a guide in assisting those that are living with depression and may be thinking about suicide.
· How to Spot Teenage Depression: The life of teenagers is filled with a lot emotionally turmoil. This article explains how to spot teenagers living with depression and offer assistance.
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Comments
AUTHORRespect Sunshine, I try to be evergreen.
3 years later and I still agree that this is one awesome hub on depression awareness. We are what we eat is so true! When I eat healthy which is the majority of the time, I feel fine, when I eat junk food, it affects my mood. Great hub!
- AUTHOR
Respect SkeetyD. Depression still does not have a cause as yet. The cause is still being debated. Food is definitely a factor.
Very informative hub. I suspect that many people did not realise a connection between diet and depression. Great work.
- AUTHOR
Respect Maria. Process foods cause a lot of ailments within the western society. Knowledge is key.
This is a very important, and a reality too.... the most common food nowadays contains those mentioned..... I agree we really need to be careful with the food with eat.
- AUTHOR
Respect RTalloni. It is a simple topic that needs to be addressed.
- AUTHOR
Respect torrilynn. We have to be really careful towards the foods that we consume.
An important topic interestingly written in an easy to read format. Keeping this info in mind provides good balance when thinking through the foods that are good for us.
really intersting. i never nood that the foods we consume can actually cause someone to be depressed. awesome. voted up.
- AUTHOR
Respect Grant's. If you are using up the protein, then it would not be extra protein. Heavy weightlifting actually puts people in a good mood and boosts confidence. Some of the powdered proteins that weightlifters consume contains by-products that are harmful to the brain especially long term use.
- AUTHOR
@prairieprincess. Thank you very much for the energy. Love and respect.
@Cyndi10. The brain uses most of the nutrients we digest, so we have to make sure we get clean fuel. Blessings and respect.
@donnah75. Balance is key and of utmost importance. Thanks and Respect.
Interesting article. I knew about alcohol but never really thought about how other foods might cause depression. I take extra protein because of weightlifting and now wonder if I would be in a better mood if I stopped taking extra protein. Hmmm.
Thanks for sharing.
I know someone who has suffered from depression for many years. What you say here makes a lot of sense. Isn't it amazing how the balanced diet keeps us in balance. Great article. Voted up.
There is some very good information in your article. People are probably aware of the adverse affects of alcohol on depression, but they may not have made the connection between food and depression. You really have to be so mindful of what you eat everyday. Well done. Voted up.
Rasta, excellent information! It's amazing how much of our mind is directly affected by what we do with our body. Voted up and shared! Have a good day ...
- AUTHOR
Respect Melovy. Preventative medicine is the best way forward in life. Nice move.
Athough I generally avoid most of the foods you list here, I hadn't really thought about them and depression, but it makes sense. Thanks for a useful and interesting hub.
- AUTHOR
Respect spy, Thanks for the motivation.
- AUTHOR
@ Blissful writer, flax-seeds, almonds, cashew and hemp contain a high ratio of omega3-omega6 fatty acids, almost 4-1. This is the correct ratio of fatty acids needed to create HDL cholesterol. This is the good cholesterol.
@ Rebecca, it is because most fast or processed foods contains low quality protein or little nutrients.
@ Barry, Too little sugar will also cause depression similar to protein. The most important thing is the quality of the sugar or protein.
i cannot agree more.this is very true. Nice hub!
- AUTHOR
@ Sunshine, thanks for pimping the hub. I thought people did not like this type of topic. I was wrong.
@ Daisy, thanks for the energy. Most people do not care about the food they eat.
@ Poet, not really a set amount of protein per body weight. Protein intake is just one of the factors. Meat intake should be smaller than your fist and less than twice per day. People with active physical lifestyles are less likely to have depression anyway.
Very informative Hub. I usually stay away from processed sugars. It is also very interesting that too much protein causes depression; I guess the too-much-too-little rule can be applied there as well. Very well informed!
-KD
Very interesting! I never thought about certain foods causing depression. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
You can not get dietary cholesterol from fruits nor vegetables. The body will make the cholesterol that it needs. Dietary cholesterol is mainly from eggs and meats.
Nice hub. Is there a rule of thumb concerning protein intake (i.e. how many grams per lb; effect of active lifestyle on intact needs)?
Art (Rasta1),
Thanks for publishing this very important article, my friend.
I don't think people realize the *dangers* of certain foods.
Superb hub Rasta! There are plenty of articles about how to cure yourself of depression, but I've seen few if any articles about foods that cause it! UP! Awesome!
- AUTHOR
Respect NicoleS, This information is from my personal experience. Thanks for liking it.
Very interesting! But it makes a lot of sense too.
- AUTHOR
Respect eliminatecancer, I try my best to give good information. Mordor's point just reminded me of what hubpages is about. Strong content.
Awesome - thanks - I think that's a valuable update!
- AUTHOR
@ Mordor and Eliminatecancer, we live in a society of excessive protein consumers. Getting the right food balance is correct. Eliminatecancer makes a very good point about the quality these proteins nowadays. I have adjusted the article to suggest the consumption of more omega 3' in order to boost the good cholesterol HDL and balance out the bad cholesterol LDL.
Protein from meat often comes with lots of other toxins though, hormones, anti-biotics or disease in cattle caused by a diet of GMO corn instead of grass. It's important that your source of protein is clean...
and Rasta1 - I'd never heard of hemp seeds, I'll need to look into that more. Sounds like they pack a punch similar to flax seed, only better for women who need to stay away from Omega-6 which messes with our hormones, and can lead to breast cancer.
Rasta, I agree with everything, but not taking enough proteins (either from meat/fish/dairy or from beans/lentils/peas/rice) will also lead to very bad depression.
Keep everything in balance. Cholesterol is the basic brick of all hormones in the body, so you should NOT avoid it diligently. Just don't overeat with high cholesterol foods.
Excellent hub. Voting up.
- AUTHOR
Respect eliminate, Detoxing the body of toxins does help to free up the mind. Glad we are on the same frequency.
- AUTHOR
Respect tsmog, this is what I have found to really happen when people consume negative foods. Sometimes when I am travelling, its hard to access the natural foods that the brain needs.
So much of this article is true rasta1. I check my PH balance daily, morning & night looking for that magical balance. The diet part is a challenge with work & my schedule, yet I have learned to keep that PH level balanced.
Great hub!! I totally agree with this connection!! I also think it's important to keep the body flushed out and detoxed - even foods that don't directly cause depression can overload the system and throw off chemical balances. Funny, i was just thinking about this today :)
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