DEPRESSED? EAT SOMETHING!

Have you ever wondered why we eat two to four square meals every day? The answer may seem minimal and/or obvious, but there is a whole world of overlapping reasons for maintaining a steady and healthy diet. As some of you may know, human beings can go without food or nourishment for the better part of a month if necessary. Of course, water is a different matter, but the point here is that we don't just eat to survive. This universal practice, this habit of consumption is tied to everything from metabolism and circadian rhythm, to enjoyment, to social life and even your mood.

That's right. Food affects mood. Everything we ingest from breakfast, lunch and dinner to pharmaceutical drugs and recreational drugs to nutritional supplements and food concentrates alters our brain chemistry in one way or another. Blood sugar and neurotransmitter levels in the brain have a huge bearing on your mood, outlook and behavior towards your fellow man or woman. In other words, nutritional deficiencies can become extremely dangerous when they lead to depression or some other negative state of mind.

According to The Vitamin Update, "Almost any nutrient deficiency can result in depression. Many depressed people show signs of nutrient deficiencies but it is unclear in many cases whether these deficiencies are an actual feature of the disease or are secondary to malnutrition. When a mood disorder is caused by a nutrient deficiency, increased intake usually reverses the symptoms; although in certain cases, permanent damage may occur."

This is all really a case of what foods to ingest. You are the scientist and your brain is your lab. In other words, your body and brain performance is subject to whatever you consume. It makes sense that a steady diet of sugary foods will inevitably result in a decline towards depression. Conversely, foods that are rich in carbohydrates increase the level of tryptophan in the brain, which in turn, increases serotonin levels. Serotonin is a powerful neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of health and well-being. And, in this case, feeling good is half the battle. It may come as no surprise that you crave breads and proteins when you are sad. Your body is constantly sending you these messages. All you have to do is listen.

In the future, we may address the severity of B vitamin deficiencies, which are commonly found in psychiatric patients. If there's one thing to avoid, it's a B vitamin deficiency. We'll keep you posted.

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