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You are what you eat! -depreassion

Medication? You can Battle Depression Effectively with a Proper Diet!
http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/before.htm

SSRI-antidepressant advertising campaigns have claimed that
depression is linked with an imbalance of the neurotransmitter
serotonin, and that SSRIs can correct this imbalance. This theory of
a 'bio-chemical imbalance' is heavily flawed. Scientifically
speaking, there is no causal relationship whatsoever between 'low
serotonin' and 'depression.'

Studies that were performed to evaluate the effect of depleting
serotonin levels in humans in order to induce depression, reaped no
consistent results. Low serotonin levels did NOT produce an increase
in clinical depression in healthy humans. (click to observe study).
In fact, researchers found that huge increases in brain serotonin,
arrived at by administering high-dose L-tryptophan, were ineffective
at relieving depression. (click to observe study)

So, are (SSRI) antidepressants an answer? Since we now know that
these prescription drugs are not correcting any 'bio-chemical
imbalance' but putatively increase serotonergic activity (and
therefore serotonin levels in your complete body, not solely the
brain, risking the potentially fatal toxic hyperserotonergic state of
the Serotonin Syndrome) and since we now know that low serotonin
levels do not have any scientifically proven causal relationship with
depression, one could ask if it is worth taking risks by ingesting an
agent that can drastically alter and damage your entire personal
system in ways that medical science doesn't even understand?

Medical research in a study dating 25 sept, 2004 shows us clearly
that serotonin toxicity can even appear rapidly in a few hours after
taking a single therapeutic dose of SSRI medication. In Bio-
Psychiatry it is a common thought that SSRI's are believed to have
their effect by inhibiting the re-uptake of serotonin (downregulation
of transporters) and thereby gradually increasing serotonin outside
the tissue cell wall (extracellular) in the synaptic gap between
brain cells (neurons) in the brain. In this important study, Zoloft
(Lustral, sertraline) was given to monkeys for 4 weeks to establish
how long it would take before Zoloft would have it's effect on
serotonergic neurons and thus elevation of serotonin. In contrast
with the commonly accepted SSRI theory, it was observed that
serotonin levels raised NOT gradually, but rapidly and dramatically
and kept on raising during these 4 weeks, an effect that can NOT be
ascribed solely to a 're-uptake inhibition' of serotonin!

Seventeen (17) years after introducing the first SSRI-antidepressant
on the market in 1987, our 'Medical Science' discovers their
prescription drugs 'work' in toxic ways to be never expected. They
did not know... yet they were brought onto the market as 'safe and
effective.' And still these toxic antidepressants are on the
market... What does that tell you?

In numerous case reports/studies (more...), one side of the dangerous
risks by ingesting antidepressants have been exposed, ranging from:
mental state, perceptual, emotional and psychological changes to
suicidal, aggressive and/or homicidal thoughts & behaviours, self-
harm and failed/succeeded suicide attempts.

Fortunately and finally in October 2004, the MHRA in the United
Kingdom as well as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the
United States of America acknowledged antidepressant prescription
drugs to induce suicidal thoughts and behaviours in children,
adolescents and adults of which causal relationship has been proven.
Hence it is ordered that ALL antidepressants carry the
prominent 'black-box' suicide warnings.

Furthermore, in numerous other case reports/studies, also reversal as
well as permanent damage to vital organs as a direct result of
antidepressant use has been confirmed.

So why taking such a huge risk in order to find instant relief from
prescription drugs that have been proven to damage your health?
Prescription drugs that indeed have been proven to powerfully alter
your mind and perception, unfortunately with all tragic consequences?

Since the earliest civilisations, the link between mental health,
emotional states and diet, food and drink have been recognised, yet
this is seldom taken into consideration by conventional medical
practitioners today as prescriptions for psychotropic drugs are often
issued as a first line of treatment, without taking into account the
wide range of alternative options that are available and often more
appropriate.

Normal everyday life can cause ups and downs bringing about feelings
which include happiness/sadness, euphoria/despondency and
laughing/weeping. Sometimes one can understand and relate to why they
are feeling this way. For example, it is normal for one to feel sad
following a bereavement, just as it is normal for one to feel
euphoric when they have passed an exam that they worked hard for or
been offered a job which they really wanted. However, people's
experiences of depression vary from person to person and it is often
very difficult for an outsider who has not been there to understand
exactly what that person is going through for depression is more than
simply feeling down; it can incapacitate sufferers to such a degree
that they feel totally isolated, imprisoned and immobilised. It can
affect anyone, at any time, of any age - nobody is immune.

Around 25% of the population may experience some form of depression
at some point in their lives and statistics show that women are
slightly more susceptible than men. There are many contributing
factors to depression which include lifestyle, behaviour and
relationships.

Depression frequently follows some life shattering event such as
bereavement, serious illness in the family, redundancy, divorce,
bankruptcy or other financial difficulties and in many situations all
that is needed is good support. Symptoms include changes in appetite
leading to weight gain or loss; changes in sleeping habits, ie.
insomnia or constant sleeping; feelings of being out of control;
hyperactivity or total lethargy; loss of interest and sex drive;
reduced energy and fatigue or listlessness; feelings of worthlessness
or guilt, lack of concentration and finally, thoughts of death or
suicide. Depression is likely to be diagnosed if any five of these
symptoms are experienced and last for a period of one month.

Poor diet can have a disastrous effect on memory, co-ordination,
concentration, powers of reason, behaviour and mood although this is
very rarely recognised or looked into by medical professionals.
Mental distress is linked to a deficiency of iron, magnesium and B-
complex vitamins. Zinc deficiency can also be a major factor in
causing depression and leads to loss of appetite, subsequent poor
nutrition, inevitable chronic fatigue and finally, depression. Many
people who go to their doctor complaining of fatigue are often
wrongly assumed to be suffering from depression and prescribed anti-
depressant drugs which doctors often use as a first line of
treatment. Unfortunately, many of these drugs can interfere with zinc
absorption. Low levels of zinc in the body can not only lead to a
loss of appetite and fatigue (which can be exacerbated by anti-
depressants) but can also be a factor in the cause of depression
itself. It is therefore important to get adequate amounts of zinc in
your diet in order to prevent a downward spiral from forming. Sources
of zinc include: shellfish, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, soya beans,
wheat products (especially wheatgerm and wheat bran), sesame seeds,
cocoa, sunflower seeds, sweetcorn, rice, wholemeal bread, oats,
cheeses (especially cheddar and edam), legumes (especially aduki
beans), peas, barley, nuts (especially almonds), peanuts and peanut
butter, wholegrain flours, buckwheat and brown rice.

The majority of women and many children have diets that are deficient
in iron, and zinc levels appear to be falling as the consumption of
convenience foods rises. Consequently, it is hardly surprising that
depression is becoming more common. Excessive consumption of caffeine
which can be found in tea, coffee, fizzy drinks or chocolate and
large amounts of bran interferes with mineral absorption and can
therefore trigger the onset of depression. Overstimulation of the
central nervous system by caffeine can cause extreme mood swings.

A diet that is high in refined carbohydrates and sugars is a common
factor in depressive illness and alcohol can also have a severe
depressant effect. Vitamin deficiencies may have specific effects on
mental states. These are detailed below:

Vitamin C: generalised depression, extreme tiredness, outbursts of
hysterical behaviour. Vitamin C can be found in oranges, kiwi fruits,
broccoli, blackcurrants and potatoes, red pepper, parsley, green
leafy vegetables (especially kale), green pepper, tomato puree,
brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage (especially savoy),
strawberries, watercress, spinach, grapefruit, melon (all types),
peas, raspberries, spring onions, swede and turnip, tomatoes.
Vitamin B12: general mental deterioration; psychotic behaviour,
depression, loss of memory and paranoia. Vitamin B12 can be found in
cheeses (especially cheddar, parmesan and edam), fortified yeast
extract such as marmite, cottage cheese and milk.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine): depression, irritability, loss of memory, loss
of concentration and exhaustion. Sources of Vitamin B1 include
breakfast cereals, peas, sunflower seeds, millet, wheat germ, sesame
seeds, soy beans, nuts (especially brazil, cashew nuts, almonds and
walnuts), legumes (especially split peas, blackeye beans, kidney
beans, lentils, chick peas), whole grains (especially brown rice and
oatmeal), whole wheat, rye and potatoes.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): Psychosis, mental deterioration and
depression. Sources of Vitamin B6 include wheat products (especially
wheatgerm and oatmeal), nuts (especially walnuts), legumes,
(especially soy beans, lentils, butter beans, haricot beans), barley,
bananas, peanuts and peanut butter, avocados, buckwheat, wheat and
rye, raisins and brussels sprouts.
Folic Acid: fatigue, irritability, insomnia, forgetfulness and
confusion. Folic Acid can be found in dried baker's yeast, fortified
yeast extract such as marmite, blackeye beans, kidney beans, endive,
broccoli, legumes (especially chickpeas), soy beans, vegetables
(especially spinach, brussels sprouts, spring greens, okra, cabbage),
almonds, beetroot, parsnips, walnuts, oatmeal, brown rice, corn (on
cob).
Vitamin B3 (niacin; niacinamide): loss of memory, mood swings,
depression and anxiety. Sources of Vitamin B3 include fortified yeast
extract (such as marmite), brewer's yeast, peanuts and peanut butter,
sesame seeds, brown rice, wholemeal flour, wheatgerm, wholemeal
spaghetti, wholemeal bread, barley, legumes (especially split peas)
and cheeses (especially parmesan, cheddar and blue cheeses).
Biotin: severe lethargy, depression and constant sleeping. Biotin can
be found in eggs.
Pantothenic Acid: insomnia, fatigue, depression and psychosis.
Sources include broad beans, peanuts and peanut butter, legumes
(especially split peas and soy beans), buckwheat, mushrooms, nuts
(especially cashews and hazelnuts), avocados, broccoli and oatmeal.
Some commonly prescribed drugs can lead to depression too, examples
of which include antibiotics; barbiturates; amphetamines;
corticosteroids and the long term use of steroids, pain killers;
ulcer drugs; drugs used in the treatment of arthritis; drugs used to
treat slipped discs; anticonvulsants; beta-blockers; medicines used
for the treatment of high blood pressure, drugs used to treat heart
conditions, especially if they contain resperine; drugs used to treat
cardiac arrhythmias; the contraceptive pill; antiparkinsonian drugs;
psychotropic drugs and drugs used to treat alcoholism. Although many
people claim that they smoke to relieve tension, nicotine is another
chemical which combined with raised blood levels of carbon monoxide,
can have a detrimental effect on mood and brain function.
Improved nutrition can be used to relieve depression and enhance
overall mental health, mental ability and performance. Key nutrients
can be obtained from a variety of sources which include eating a wide
variety of vegetables, fruit and salads, plenty of wholegrain
cereals, all types of beans, pasta and brown rice. Grapes, millet,
wheatgerm, brewer's yeast, oats, buckwheat, molasses, dairy products,
berries, figs (fresh or dried), unsalted seeds and nuts, shellfish,
nutmeg, ginger, basil, and rosemary all have a key role to play in
eating to beat depression.

Chocolate can be a mixed blessing as its high sugar content can
create wild fluctuations in the body's blood sugar levels. In order
to function properly, the brain needs a constant regular supply of
sugar but when the level plunges from hyper (too much) to hypo (too
little), the effects on mood and behaviour can be devastating.
Consequently, eating too many can cause one's mood to plummet as the
high sugar content plays havoc with the blood-sugar levels. On the
other hand, modest amounts of chocolate can give a real lift to
someone who is feeling depressed as chocolate contains the chemical
theobromine which triggers the release of endorphins in the brain. It
is these brain chemicals that mimic the euphoric feelings of 'being
in love'.

Of all the potential triggers, attention to nutrition is the easiest
and most basic first step to recovery. Ideally, investigating the
nutritional aspect of one's diet should be the first step that is
taken by any medical practitioner when someone presents with such
conditions but in practice, this is very rarely the case. Keeping
blood-sugar levels on an even keel is a primary requirement in order
to avoid hypoglycaemia, as well as eating the vitamin B-rich foods
previously mentioned. An adequate supply of good calories, healthy
proteins and all the essential minerals are all essential in
maintaining good mental health. However, it can sometimes be very
difficult to persuade someone who is feeling extremely depressed to
eat or to dissuade them from binging on high-fat, high-sugar foods of
poor nutritional quality. Frequent small meals that are appealing,
attractive and nourishing for example home made soups, freshly
squeezed fruit and vegetable juices and plenty of good wholegrain
cereals could help to form the ideal basic menu.
http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/before.htm
 
  walkin on 2006-06-24
This is just a forum. Assume posts are not from medical professionals.

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