Depression Diet -- Why Does A Depression Diet Affect Mood?

A depression diet can cause or contribute to depression problems. For example a diet that is too low in the amino acid tryptophan has been found to increase depression. (15)

Another example is consuming inadequate amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins, folate, and vitamin B-12. Such diets have also been found to relate to depression. (13)

You can learn more about the impact of fatty acids on mood by clicking here.

But why does a depression diet contribute to depression?

Gabriel Cousens, MD, in his very informative and helpful book, Depression-Free For Life: An All-Natural, 5-Step Plan to Reclaim Your Zest For Living, explained that chemicals called neurotransmitters relay nerve impulses throughout your body. These nerve impulses make up the communication system that your brain and nerves use to carry out many functions. (6)

The neurotransmitters that seem to have the most impact on your moods are...

>serotonin
> dopamine
> noradrenaline (also called norepinephrine)
> glutamine
> gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)
> endorphins

Your body produces these important chemicals from the nutrients that you consume. Amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, fatty acids, proteins, and carbohydrates are all needed.

When your diet is insufficient (a depression diet) your body doesn't have what is needed to produce neurotransmitters. The result can be depression and other psychological symptoms.

Not consuming enough of the right nutrients is not the only depression diet problem, however. A depression diet can also be taking harmful substances into your body.

Catherine Carrigan, in Healing Depression: A Holistic Guide, listed ten common dietary substances that are most likely to contribute to depression. These depression diet substances include..."1. Anything moldy, malted, or fermented.

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