Have any types of food been shown to help in the treatment of depression?

Question

Have any types of food been shown to help in the treatment of depression?

Answer 1

Strange, but some research has shown something in turkey (the bird not the country) helps. But do stay away from alcohol of any kind. I have struggled with depression since 1991, and been disabled since 2001. It is a very unpleasant illness.  

Answer 2

I'm not really sure if this is true, but a patient in a psych ward, who suffers from depression, said that when she eats porridge it sometimes helps her. I guess that porridge is a comfort food.

Answer 3

aside from the good advice Regina mentioned,

Get some exercise, walking daily will help you feel much better and will relieve stress. Just like what Regina said, stay away from ALL sugars i.e

white bread , pasta NO SODAS, no caffeine

A good tasting all natural drink is the new V8 drink called Fusion. It taste good and is good for you. Do this for a month and you'll feel 100 times better and will  notice a real diffrenece within a two week period if you stick to it

Vitamin supliments would help also. 1000mg of vitimin C and a B complex and at least 200mg of CoQ10 although the CoQ10 is not cheap but it is full of antioxidents and great for the heart and you will notice and energy increas in just a couple of weeks

Answer 4

Foods high in tryptophan have been shown to elevate levels of seratonin and melatonin and alleviate some depressions symptoms, (whilst producing some drowsiness). These include sesame and sunflower seeds, soybeans, dairy and most meats, with poultry having high levels, as it's an essential protein.

The sugar level of chocolate will determine its endorphin effect, but it does have mood elevating properties. But as others have wisely pointed out avoiding simple sugars and alcohol like the plague is the best way to go.

Vitamin B6 has been used as an ingredient in supplements for the alleviation of some pre-mestrual symptoms and assists in the digestion of tryptophan. But a supplement containing the range of B vitamins would be of best use for mental and general health.

Most importantly find out what form the depression takes, what the chemical triggers are if any, if there are any hormonal or chemical defficiencies and then address the situation accordingly, but play it safe in the mean time.

Good luck.

Answer 5

do not boil water from the hot tap. start with cold water then boil it from there for either cooking in or cuppas

Answer 6

Well, you should definitely avoid caffeine and alcohol.

As for what to eat, try to eat as healthfully as possible.  Make sure you eat protein and vegetables, take a multivitamin.  Drink a lot of water.

Try not to overeat carbs as they make you feel more tired.

If the depression is mild, exercising daily may help, it releases endorphins.

Also, try to do one thing everyday that makes you feel competent and try to do one thing everyday that you enjoy.

Answer 7

Highly beneficial nutrients for bringing the body back to balance, giving the body the power to reverse depression, disease, acidity and aging include:

    1. Complex carbohydrates in the form of fruits and vegetables which include the most powerful fruits and vegetables:  carrot, parsley, beet, broccoli, kale, cabbage, spinach, tomato, apple, orange, pineapple, cranberry, acerola cherries and papaya.

    2. Soybeans and soy products.

    3. Beans, nuts, seeds, dried fruits.

    4. Whole grains such as brown rice, wild rice, kamut, rye, millet, barley, spelt, quinoa.

    5. Salmon, white fish, range fed turkey, eggs.

    6. For sugar, use honey, molasses, cane sugar, stevia.

    7. Minerals/vitamins - selenium, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, chromium, niacin, Vitamin D, B vitamins - all of which are best derived from food rather than specific supplements.

There are many non medicinal ways to alleviate depression to go along with good nutrition, some of them are:

    1. Homeopathy (many books and practitioners available).

    2. Aromatherapy is easy to apply and is enjoyable.

    3. Exercise - probably the most important thing to do.

    4. Sunlight - activates Vitamin D (the happy vitamin) in our bodies.

    5. Acupressure, massage and reflexology are all very supportive..

    6. Reading motivational, supportive books (library and excellent source)

    7. Reading spiritual healing books and working with prayer, meditation and caring for yourself.

Answer 8

Turkey

Answer 9

Staying away from sugar and sugared products, and also chocolate, often helps.  Drink plenty of water.  Drink some milk, and at the same time take a calcium/magnesium tablet.  Do this a couple of times a day.  Best wishes to you.

Answer 10

Oily, cold water fish, such as salmon, or tuna. Also krill oil (www.mercola.com) both for the Omega 3 content.

Answer 11

chocolate makes me feel better

Answer 12

ummm. no none of the foods listed helps me. stayin away from sugar just makes it worse (lol) all you can do is once in a while treat yourself to an outing and get food you really want. go with friends too. that's what i do. my depression subsides for a week or so.