You've probably heard of 'brain food',
but what does that term refer to? Some people think it only refers to
foods that can help your thinking process, but it means so much more
than that. For some people, there are certain foods that can help us
fend off mental issues such as depression and anxiety. I'm not
talking about the way some of us (me included!) eat when we're sad or
anxious to make ourselves feel better; I'm talking about foods that
actually help with the chemical imbalances in our brains that can
cause problems like this. If you have experienced depression or
anxiety and would like to know what foods can help with it, read on.
Just so you know, this isn't a way to
get out of taking medications if your doctor has prescribed them.
While every system in your body works better when you are eating well
and in good shape, your doctor wouldn't prescribe the medications if
s/he didn't think you needed them. That said, these tips can
supplement any current regimen you have for your mental health.
Omega-3 fats. Omega-3
fatty acids have gotten a lot of attention in recent years, and for
good reason. These have multiple health benefits, one of which is
helping your brain manufacture and properly absorb serotonin. Since
these fats are not created within the body like other nutrients, it's
essential to get them in your diet. One of the biggest sources of
omega-3 fats is from oily fish such as salmon, shad, mackerel, tuna
and sardines, but they can also be found in various kinds of nuts and
oils. Canola oil and soybean oil, which you may already have in your
cabinets for cooking, are good sources of these fats. Dark green
leafy vegetables have them too, so be sure to eat your vegetables!
Selenium. The
jury is still out on whether this mineral has a therapeutic effect on
depression or anxiety, but studies have shown an association between
consistently-bad moods and a lack of selenium intake. The good news
is that it is found in foods that are already a part of a healthy
diet. Lean meats, seafood, whole grains, legumes, nuts and low-fat
dairy products are rich in selenium. You probably already have some
of these foods in your refrigerator.
Vitamin D.
A large amount of the Vitamin D that we get comes from sunlight, so
this could be one reason many of us have lower moods in the winter
than we do in the spring and summer. Foods such as fish, eggs and
dairy products are also high in Vitamin D, so consuming these foods
can help make up for the lack of sunlight we might experience at some
times of the year.
Antioxidants. The
same 'free radicals' we've heard about being associated with aging
can also affect the brain. Vitamins C and E are particularly high in
antioxidants, as is beta-carotene. Some foods that are high in these
nutrients are fresh fruits, potatoes, broccoli, carrots and spinach.
Margarine, vegetable oils and nuts are also high in Vitamin E.
As
you can see, there are several foods and food categories that can
help the brain develop and absorb the chemicals necessary to fight
depression and anxiety. While they won't 'cure' people with more
serious problems, they go a long way in ensuring our well-being. Eat
up!
Hey! I just wish to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have right here on this post. foods for depression
ReplyDelete