Does Food Improve your Mood?
Feeling blue and depressed? Is the cost of gas, food, the constant threat of the poor economy or other aspects of life leading you down the road of depression?
If diagnosed with depression, try pursuing some dietary changes before starting medication or in addition to medication. Facing depression head on, incorporating walking twice a day along with new nutritional choices and professional help can give you a new perspective on life. Your diet should consist of: nuts, bananas, poultry for protein and milk before bedtime. The depression should subside and weight gain should turn to weight loss, all while under a doctors care.
What was the magic? “Vitamin B and Tryptophan”. Foods containing Vitamin B often have the protein Tryptophan that can be converted to the neuro-transmitter, Serotonin. ”Smiling Serotonin” is linked with happiness, or known as a “Mood” enhancer. In simplified terms, a Neurotransmitter (serotonin for example), is like the super-autostrada of information in your brain that allows different parts to talk to each other!!!
Tryptophan can be found in a variety of foods to help fight depression, they include: chocolate, bananas, poultry, meat, whole grain pasta, fennel seeds, figs, fish, peanuts, milk and cottage cheese. A list that many can pick and choose from and find health and comfort.
Foods to AVOID. Any foods or drinks (Diet) with aspartamine (aspartame or phenylalanine) should be avoided. Multiple studies have shown this aritficial sweetner to depress serotonin levels. Those with a history of mood disorders or depression have been linked to a severe reaction after consuming aspartamine.
I do not recommend that someone comes off their medication to try this diet. Stay on the medication. Do talk to your doctor about how you can work with them in pursuing necessary dietary changes that will nutritionally benefit you as well.
Nutritional Facts: Include foods in your diet with B Vitamins. They contain two amino acids: Phenylalanine and Tyrosine, which are precursors to noraepinepherine and tryptophan, which are precursors to the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Other vitamins which may contribute to mood enhancers are: zinc, selenium, calcium, Vitamin D, iron and magnesium.
By: Kimberly CrockerLiterature Research
- Biol Psychiatry. 1993 Jul 1-15;34(1-2):13-7.
- Food Chem Toxicol. 1987 Aug;25(8):565-8.
http://www.liveandfeel.com/medicinalplants/fennel.html
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-fennel.html
