Are there Foods that can Help With Depression?

When someone has depression, it can often feel like there’s nothing you can do to work your way out of it. Often, those with depression will look toward inflammatory, sugary, and nutrient void foods for some semblance of happiness. There’s science backing this — munching on high-sugar foods like eating a donut when you’re upset can give you a boost dopamine just like some harmful drugs.

So, is there something you can do about your diet to help combat depression? Absolutely.

Depression may be an Allergic Reaction in the Brain

Functional Medicine focuses on making the right choices for you, your body, and your lifestyle. Sometimes patients who come to The Epigenetics Healing Center with major depressive disorder hear about upgrading their diet to assist them in their depression and they say, “Awh, diet stuff? How’s that going to help me?” We’re glad you asked! New research has been showing that depression may be an allergic response to inflammation.

Tim de Chant of NOVA wrote: “Inflammation is our immune system’s natural response to injuries, infections, or foreign compounds. When triggered, the body pumps various cells and proteins to the site through the bloodstream, including cytokines, a class of proteins that facilitate intercellular communication. It also happens that people suffering from depression are loaded with cytokines.” Inflammation can be caused by many things but is regularly brought on by:

• Obesity
• High Sugar Intake
• High Quantities of Trans Fats
• Generally Unhealthy Diet

Doctor’s are now attempting to cure depressive disorder by combatting the inflammatory nature of the disease as opposed to the neurological ones by using potentially harmful and invasive drugs. The common culprits that doctors have used in the past are addictive prescriptions like Prozac or Zoloft. While these are still commonly used today, more and more people are choosing to fight their depression by using more natural means like changing their diet.

Depression Fighting Superfoods

You need to eat foods that not only nourish the body but help to combat inflammation. It’s safe to say that if you’ve been on a healthy diet plan before then you know the basics when it comes to a healthy diet. Anti-inflammatory foods specifically are geared towards filling your body with the nutrients it needs and deserves. You want to put good in your body to get good out, both mentally and physically.

Anti Inflammatory Foods to Fight Depression

• Berries (Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, etc.)
• Fatty Fish (Salmon, Sardines, Herring, etc.)
• Peppers (Bell Peppers, Chillies, etc.)
• Mushrooms (Portobellos, Shiitake, Truffles, etc.)
• Grapes
• Cherries
• Tomatoes
• Green Tea
• Turmeric
• Dark Chocolate / Cocoa

As you can see above, there are many tasty, nutritious foods you can add to your diet to fight depression. Discovering the ones that work best for you is part of the struggle but with the help of a trained professional, you can get a jump start on living your best life. It’s important to realize that most all of anti-inflammatory fruits focus on being fresh — buying in-season produce is a great way to guide your hand in choosing foods that help to fight depressive disorder.

The Epigenetics Healing Center Can Help

Dr. Goodbinder at The Epigenetics Healing Center is here to help find the root cause of your depression. He can help cater a diet plan that works for you and that will combat inflammation from occurring in your body. Stop trying to combat your depression with drugs and heal the issue the natural way.

If you suffer from depression or other chronic illness, Dr. Goodbinder’s program will be the most effective solution you have ever come across. Contact us today! 

Sources: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/depression-may-caused-inflammation/