What are some foods / nutrients are helpful for depression?
494597
You've got the right information there.\n\nOmega 3, Omega 6, and Omega 9 are all powerful ways to fight off depression. You can get them in flax oil, cod liver oil, and olive oil.\n\nYup, B Complex, but try to get them from eating whole grains, like a multi-grain bread (not whole wheat bread), oatmeal, wild rice and brown rice.\n\nChocolate has a chemical in it called theobromine, which is a euphoriant. Go ahead and have a few pieces, but, try to eat dark or bittersweet chocolate. The cocoa butter and high content of processed sugar in milk chocolate will actually work against you.\n\nTurkey, when heated up, has an amino acid called L-tryptophan, which helps you sleep better.\n\nMolasses, I'm not too crazy about because of the sugar content. Since sugar is a stimulant, you might not benefit from sugary foods, like molasses, or honey, or processed sugar candy, or any other food with a processed sugar content.\n\nYes, salmon is rich in Omega 3.\n\nBut, if you could find a way to do an aerobic exercise, like brisk walking, then you will really help fight depression. Aerobic exercise releases endorphins, which are pain killers, and also function as a euphoriant. A brisk walk of 30 minutes minimum is a great depression fighter, and if you can do it at least three times a week, then you are doing a great job. Cycling, treadmill, swimming, a game of catch, hiking, you get the picture. But I think that brisk walking is the king of all therapeutic exercises.\n\nIn general, stay away from fast food/processed food: the high content of processed sugars, processed salts, and saturated fats are confirmed contributors to depression.\n\nBeets, actually, all fresh vegetables are rich in nutrients that help stabilize brain activity. Eat plenty of them: it doesn't matter what vegetables you eat, just them every day.\n\nPeace.
196155
Exercise is a great remedy for depression.  Give it a try for a couple of weeks.  Really get your heart rate up; work up a sweat!  Of course, check with your doctor first.\n\nI went through a depressive period a while back and tried a few different antidepressants.  They all blunted my mind.  Exercise has been the only thing to help.\n\nGood luck!
616255
You definitely need to see a doctor before it gets worse to determine whether therapy, medication or both are the best route for you to take. Also, a quick fix that I found is eating dark chocolate - it gave me just enough to get over the depression feelings - but it doesn't last long - maybe a couple hours max.\n\n\nwww.mommastayshome.com
1001352
fruit is always a good solution. and whole grain stuff is good too. \nhere's a website to help: <www.onthetable.net/news.html>
658061
exercise, listen to music, go shopping. Spending money always helped me. When your depressed, you don't care how much you spend.
865743
Here are some tips that may help.\n\n"GET OUT OF BED: \n\nOne of the most important things you can do is get up at about the same time every morning (even week-ends). Preferably, that means about 7 a.m. or earlier. You might not feel like it but Get Up. Such regularity helps your body function more normally so you're more likely to feel normal. \n\nLIGHTS: \n\nLight helps your body function better. So turn on a lot of lights as soon as you arise. Open curtains to get more sunlight. Better yet, go outdoors into the sunshine as soon as you can. Remove any eyewear so light will enter more readily (glass cuts out some of the sun's rays). But don't stare at the sun, of course. \n\nMOVE: \n\nBe active right away -- oxygenate! That means getting up and walking around your dwelling for five or 10 minutes, or perhaps riding an exercycle. Mild exercise gets the blood flowing and transports more oxygen throughout your body (especially to your brain), helping you feel mentally alert and alive. \n\nMUSIC: \n\nSelect and play some energetic, happy music as you dress and have your breakfast. The audiovisual department of most libraries has albums and tapes you can check out. \n  \n\nBREAKFAST: \n\nBegin your breakfast with protein (i.e., meat, eggs, peanut butter, nuts, cheese). When you get up, your body chemistry is ready to convert food, especially protein,into longlasting energy. To balance your most important meal of the day, add an orange or other fresh fruit and whole grain cereal or whole grain bread. \n\nTALK WITH SOMEONE: \n\nOne of the quickest ways to beat the blues is to interact with others. You might not feel like doing that - you'd rather avoid people when blue. So make lt easier on yourself. Talk with someone you enjoy about a subject you enjoy so there is definite give and take. \n\nAnd, force yourself to say "hello" to the persons next to you in class, those where you live, anyone around. \n\nLIMIT CAFFEINE: \n\nThe long-term (four hours or so) effects of caffeine are depression. Try to limit coffee to no more than one cup in the morning. Coffee can make you more alert for an hour or so, but later you get an opposite reaction. Caffeine tends to increase the release of insulin in the blood, and insulin lowers the blood sugar level. When you have low blood sugar levels, you begin to feel less sure of yourself, and have low energy levels, which can lead to the blues or depression. \n\nLIMIT SUGAR: \n\nSugar might give you an initial rush of energy, but within an hour or so the blood sugar level can become low, and when it's low you may feel low, too. \n\nThe caffeine/sugar cycle. It's easy to get caught in the caffeine and sugar cycle -- having coffee, caffeinated soft drinks, or something with sugar every two hours or so to "stay up." For example, cola contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar plus caffeine equal to about half a cup of coffee. In addition to bringing on the blues, this cycle can result in dependence, poor nutrition. and obesity -- reasons to get down on yourself even more and feel blue. \n\nMAINTAIN FIBER: \n\nFiber helps food go through your digestive system at a proper rate, giving a more constant energy supply. Highly processed foods merely provide a quick surge of energy which can be followed by depression. You can maintain fiber in your diet by eating an orange or grapefruit rather than just drinking the juice. Eat fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole grain breads and cereals. \n\nSTRESS B COMPLEX: \n\nSome persons report receiving help by taking a concentrated vitamin B complex. You'll find these called something like "Stress B" or "B 50." This is controversial. \nSome nutritionists say, "Yes, this really should be considered," and others say, "No, this is not a good Idea." You can try some and decide whether or not it helps you. If it does help, then perhaps you should consult a nutritionist to see if there ar
182707
You can help by eating soy foods and Flax Seed ground onto your cereal. Tofu is your best food for soy in recipes instead of animal products like meats. Eat lots of fresh fruits and raw vegetables and take a food based vitamin and mineral like Source of Life vitamins along with the herbs, Black Cohosh & Chaste Berry. Health food stores have all kinds of brands to help you choose and Progesterone cream can also help . Also don't smoke or drink alcohol.
318855
Breathe.\nPray.\nMeditate.\nCount your blessings.\nHope for sunshine. Sunlight always makes a better mood.\n\nDon't forget to have hope! When you're completely down, it can only get better. Think back on the good times before this happened, and don't let it get too much in the way of life.
656972
Before starting this reply, I would like to get one thing out first.  'Traditional' medication is by far the most effective way in managing bipolar disorder and the mood stabilizers are the cornerstone in preventing relapse (either into depression or mania).  Therefore my main recommendation is to take what is prescribed by your psychiatrist.  If you do not have a psychiatrist following you, that should be your priority.\n\nThe only recommended and well studied 'natural' option is the addition of omega-3 oils to the diet.  Unfortunately, this has become the new 'wonder' supplement and many proposed benefits will later be discredited once the fad is over.  There is fairly good evidence for the addition of omega-3 oils in the mood stabilization therapy for bipolar disorders as well as major depression.  Unfortunately, there's no 'easy way' to getting these.  The natural health supplement industry is not regulated so the actual quality and concentrations of supplements are not very reliable.  On top of that, the absorption of the oil in the supplement form is quite poor.  One basically has to take it to the point of inducing diarrhea to attain proper levels.  The simplest way is to eat fish on a regular basis.  About 3 servings of oily fish (salmon, sardines are examples) per week is probably the easier option.  Although with recent reports of farmed fish having high levels of heavy metals in them, this becomes also a dilemma.\n\n  As for St-John's wart, there have been some reports of its utility but this is generally not recommended as there are several drug interaction (potentially life threatening) while taking this supplement.  It also has never been able to compare in safety or efficacy to the non 'natural' options.  \n\n  Not that this next part really answer's the question but I need to vent a little on this front.  There isn't really any such thing as 'natural' options.  All drugs, supplements, medication, you name it, are chemical compounds.  Whether they were made by plants, animals, bacteria or laboratory they are still chemicals.  I'll admit that some drugs/medication are manufactured in laboratories and do not resemble compounds found readily in nature but the fact still remains that most medications are compounds derived from organic chemicals which are then altered to increase the safety and reduce side-effects.  Most people don't realize that some of the deadliest poisons are made by plants (without any 'processing').
913822
You might try exercise, if you don't already do that regularly. I've read studies about exercise being just as good as medication for moderate depression symptoms. You can always ask the doctor next time you go for some medical advice, they might give you samples of some anti-depressants in case you do decide to go that route. Good luck and take care!
425959
A liquid diet for a few days should help. Hope you feel better soon!
103942
There are many ways you can overcome depression that work very well. The most important thing to remember is that you can control your thoughts and feelings. You can learn to change habitual thoughts and feelings that bring on the moods of depression. \n\nOne of the best ways to combat depression is to stay active. Find activities that you enjoy and seek out new interest. People are usually depressed when they have nothing to do. Get active in your community, join a bowling league, take a class at your local community college, volunteer your time to an organization, or take up a new hobby such as stamp collecting or crocheting. Busy yourself with things you enjoy doing.\n\nBe positive! When life lets you down, make a list of the good things in your life. Even the small ones count. The list can include such things as your family, your friends, your job, your back yard, your health, and even your ability to grill or cook. List items that you are good at doing. You may think grilling a steak to perfection is no big deal, but I have no idea how to grill a steak without it being leather. So, that is a feat to be proud of. On this list put every little thing. Now, when you feel depression coming on, take out this list and read it over and over again. This may help you with your self worth. \n\nDo not let others cause your depression! You can allow others to hurt your emotions, or anger you and this can also bring on depression. Remember the person that is negative is not you! Do not let their moods influence your emotions. So, what they don't like your shirt, they don't like the way you cooked breakfast, or they have some other complaint. You like your shirt, you enjoyed breakfast, and their complaints are just that, complaints without any merit. I am not saying to ignore others, but don't let them drag you down. \n\nDon't sit around by yourself! Being alone and idle can bring on major bouts of depression. Everyone enjoys having others around whether in a small group, one on one, or big social functions. Get out in the world. Find like minded friends and family to occupy those times. \n\nIf you are still having problems with depression and just can't seem to rid your life of these feelings it would be advisable to visit your doctor. There could be a medical reason that is causing your depression such as prescribed medicines, menopause, or other illnesses.\n\nGOOD LUCK TO YOU!!
310269
Good question.  This is not a pleasant situation, because food really effects our short-term mood.  I suspect that the recent diagnosis has also not been good for the mood.  \n\nSome things I like that I know are healthy:\n\nSalsa  (the problem with salsa is the chips, sour cream and cheese that often accompany it.)\nGreen Beans\nBlack beans  (give me the full feeling)\nPinto beans   (give me the full feeling)\nEdamame - I normally would loathe any kind of soy bean.  But, these are delicious and refreshing.  I get a big bag at Costco in the frozen foods.\nBaby carrots\nSnap peas\n\nSometimes new spices can put the "interesting" back in food.  I recently blogged on some diabetic recipies from the Saturday Evening Post at:\n\nhttp://mydiabetesinformation.com/index.php?p=14\n\nHowever, I am just getting into blogging about diabetes.  This is a good challenge.  Food is such a part of life and identity.  Changing it dramatically is similar to uprooting a family and moving to an unfamiliar city.  It is hard, but will get better every day.
849672
Hi Boo2U. A poor diet can definitely worsen depression. At many times depression is even caused by lack of vitamins ex: vitamin B, Folic acid and selenium. Also omega 3 fatty acids are key to prevent depression
415504
B complex vitamins will help with anxiety and stress a lot.  You make even want to ask your doctor to give you a series of B12 shots.  Eliminating caffeine will make a huge difference, as well as cutting back on sugar, fried foods, and white flour products. Valerian root, chamomile and ginseng may help to calm and relax you.
869695
Here are some tips for self-help treatment to reduce depression. \n\n"GET OUT OF BED: \n\nOne of the most important things you can do is get up at about the same time every morning (even week-ends). Preferably, that means about 7 a.m. or earlier. You might not feel like it but Get Up. Such regularity helps your body function more normally so you're more likely to feel normal. \n\nLIGHTS: \n\nLight helps your body function better. So turn on a lot of lights as soon as you arise. Open curtains to get more sunlight. Better yet, go outdoors into the sunshine as soon as you can. Remove any eyewear so light will enter more readily (glass cuts out some of the sun's rays). But don't stare at the sun, of course. \n\nMOVE: \n\nBe active right away -- oxygenate! That means getting up and walking around your dwelling for five or 10 minutes, or perhaps riding an exercycle. Mild exercise gets the blood flowing and transports more oxygen throughout your body (especially to your brain), helping you feel mentally alert and alive. \n\nMUSIC: \n\nSelect and play some energetic, happy music as you dress and have your breakfast. The audiovisual department of most libraries has albums and tapes you can check out. \n  \n\nBREAKFAST: \n\nBegin your breakfast with protein (i.e., meat, eggs, peanut butter, nuts, cheese). When you get up, your body chemistry is ready to convert food, especially protein,into longlasting energy. To balance your most important meal of the day, add an orange or other fresh fruit and whole grain cereal or whole grain bread. \n\nTALK WITH SOMEONE: \n\nOne of the quickest ways to beat the blues is to interact with others. You might not feel like doing that - you'd rather avoid people when blue. So make lt easier on yourself. Talk with someone you enjoy about a subject you enjoy so there is definite give and take. \n\nAnd, force yourself to say "hello" to the persons next to you in class, those where you live, anyone around. \n\nLIMIT CAFFEINE: \n\nThe long-term (four hours or so) effects of caffeine are depression. Try to limit coffee to no more than one cup in the morning. Coffee can make you more alert for an hour or so, but later you get an opposite reaction. Caffeine tends to increase the release of insulin in the blood, and insulin lowers the blood sugar level. When you have low blood sugar levels, you begin to feel less sure of yourself, and have low energy levels, which can lead to the blues or depression. \n\nLIMIT SUGAR: \n\nSugar might give you an initial rush of energy, but within an hour or so the blood sugar level can become low, and when it's low you may feel low, too. \n\nThe caffeine/sugar cycle. It's easy to get caught in the caffeine and sugar cycle -- having coffee, caffeinated soft drinks, or something with sugar every two hours or so to "stay up." For example, cola contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar plus caffeine equal to about half a cup of coffee. In addition to bringing on the blues, this cycle can result in dependence, poor nutrition. and obesity -- reasons to get down on yourself even more and feel blue. \n\nMAINTAIN FIBER: \n\nFiber helps food go through your digestive system at a proper rate, giving a more constant energy supply. Highly processed foods merely provide a quick surge of energy which can be followed by depression. You can maintain fiber in your diet by eating an orange or grapefruit rather than just drinking the juice. Eat fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole grain breads and cereals. \n\nSTRESS B COMPLEX: \n\nSome persons report receiving help by taking a concentrated vitamin B complex. You'll find these called something like "Stress B" or "B 50." This is controversial. \nSome nutritionists say, "Yes, this really should be considered," and others say, "No, this is not a good Idea." You can try some and decide whether or not it helps you. If it does help, then perhaps you should consult a
1082967
Vitamin B-complex\nValerian root\nChamomile\nLavender\n\n(these aren't "medicine" but are healthy alternatives for alleviating stress)