Drive Depression Out. Eat Happiness
Are you stressed out or having depressive mood swings? Do you know when you are depressed most of the things fall apart and you are in total mess? With depressive swings, there is chance that the music you love would be intolerable, unnatural break-ups in relationship, lazy to do important stuffs, lack of appetite and what not. All this can alter the actual you and let you suffer more on your health, mind, surrounding and of course put those who love you into depression!
Okay, are you ready to beat your negative mood with healthy foods? Keep in mind, healthy food can drive out depression and build up a happy you! Come let’s check on happiness thriving foods.
Turkey
Scientists and psychiatrists studied that imbalance in neurotransmitters, especially serotonin, in brain leads to depressive swings. These are nothing but protein components. Protein rich foods such as, tuna, chicken, turkey are stuffed with amino acids like tyrosine which can shoot up dopamine and nor-epinephrine levels, making you feel great, bringing back your stress levels under control, keep you alert and helps you concentrate on things easily. A good turkey meal can get your brain more clarity!
Liver
Rich in Vitamin B, liver is good enough to reduce depression levels, decrease anger and control over anxiety disorders. Sufficient vitamin B intake shows progressive mental stability and a healthy well being. Spinach, garlic, salmon, celery, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, etc are some foods rich in vitamin B.
Fish Oils
You have heard in commercials or seen in research journals the importance of taking omega-3 fatty acids. So what basically makes fish oils? Yes, Omega-3 fatty acids form the major constituent of fish oils and what depressed people lack mostly is a type of fatty acid, EPA. Main sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are salmon, tuna, walnuts, chia seeds and flaxseed. Apart from the cholesterol control and cardiovascular health boosting, Omega 3-fatty acid works best for deriving the lost happiness.
In a study conducted on general psychiatry published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, it is noticed that those depressive participants who consumed a gram of fish oil daily showed 50% drop in their symptoms such as anxiety, sleeplessness, suicidal thoughts and dimmed sex drive.
Carrots
Antioxidants are very important to increase the brain activity by reducing the effects of free radicals. Antioxidant foods such as carrots, broccoli, collards, spinach, orange, potato, berries, etc helps to hinder the negative results such as dysfunction, aging, etc caused by free radicals. A study conducted by The National Institute of Health showed that people with low-intake of magnesium are more prone to depression due to low serotonin production. Collards are rich in magnesium. Cook a cup of collards and mix it with your pasta for breakfast, there you take in 35% magnesium, which is enough and more to drive off depressive swings.
Whole grains
Carbohydrates and mood swings are closely linked. Want to know how carbs regulate mood swings? Studies shows that hunger for carbohydrates can be due to decreased serotonin levels, the mood-booster neurotransmitter. So what you check here is, whether the carbs you feed is mood-boosting or mood-hurting. Whole grains (oats, kamut, quinoa, spelt) are categorised as best carbs to increase serotonin activity, sooth digestive system, balance the blood-sugar levels, lower cholesterol and keep your mood good. Fiber-rich carbs, fruits, legumes, veggies are also best to take along with whole grains which itself is packed with folic acid, Vitamin B6, B1 and pantothenic acid.
Bananas
Go fight depression with bananas. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition reviewed, high potassium diet combated symptoms of depression in contestants by relieving muscle tension. Also potassium rich diet improves working of gastro-intestinal tract, kidney and heart. Bananas are rich in magnesium, potassium and vitamin B6.
Guava
A study conducted on Vitamin C affect on mood swing showed, it is an important nutrient to boost up neurotransmitters in brain and improved moods of patients at the hospital wing. Foods high in vitamin C should be never skipped if you wish to kick off depressive swings. Parsley, turnips, broccoli, kiwi, strawberries, guava, etc are good vitamin C boosters.
Now eat your way out of depression by adding these happy foods to your diet. Remember a drug-free treatment is always best to beat depression and get your life on track. Say bye to the sober us, and welcome the happy inner child!
My guest Blogger for this week is Katie Lewis. Meet Katie.
The article was written by Katie Lewis from www.dothealth.com, an Informa business healthcare portal for healthcare professionals.
