Fortune Mind Discussions

Different foods to lighten up depression

In order to combat depression, one has to consider how to bring more balance to the different human cells. There are numerous reasons to be happy or unhappy about. However, it is really much more complicated than that. Many people are born ‘depressed’, which means they are going to have a lifetime deficiency of Serotonin in their brains. Serotonin is one of the most important Neuro-transmitters in the brain. Together with Norepinephrine, Dopamine, and Oxytocin it will determine our ability to be happy or depressed.

There is a balance act going on between the different neuro-transmitters in the brain. Between male and female hormones, other hormones, and between hormones and neurotransmitters. This delicate inner balance is confronted with our environment. The daily clash within and with the enviroment can influence the production of building materials in the body dramatically. Food is one more aspect of this eternal struggle to stay ‘balanced’. The food given to our body and its cells must lead to the production of all these hormones and neurotransmitters, and supply our body and brain with enough energy.

To be able to lighten up depression with foods, one should first understand the complexity of life and its holistic nature. It will not be sufficient to eat or drink any kind of food, without addressing other problems as well. The human mind is not to be fooled: Not with drugs, alcohol, or food. Relief will come, but only for a short while.

The person concerned is already well on his way to lighten his depression by investigating and considering different options, and by giving a chance to a possible recovery.

How to manipulate one’s belief when using food to lighten up some forms of depression?

Because of the physical and mental relation, proven by taking Placebo medicines, we can channel our beliefs to help ourselves; by believing that healthy food makes us happier. Believers in god or intelligence design can see for example, how god made fruits, vegetables, some fish, and certain kinds of meat, so healthy that they do not need human intervention. Meaning that color additives and chemical preservatives are not needed. The spiritual person soon realizes that reducing stress is imperative to his health. And that he can no longer eat foods which were mass produced under stressful conditions, such as mass dairy production, or fish and meat farms which grow animals under stressful condition. Eating a depressed, stressed animal will be detected by the cells, and as a result, you may become depressed.

The individual observing the process of personal evolution, would see that most cards has already been dealt between birth and the age of five. The genes we received from our parents determine for at least fifty percent if we are susceptible to depression. The other half being the first years of childhood. It is later in life when those factors determine our ability to choose a good partner, reasonable living environment, and how happy we are going to be..

Understanding that the command post in our head will only be happy when balance is restored, and that mental balance is a manifestation of the physical condition of the organism - we can go to work, and choose the best foods to cheer us up.

Drink enough water to maintain balance. As much as 70% of our body is water. Even a slight dehydration can result in an unnecessary stress, wrong decisions and possibly depression. Prevention is better than cure.

Fruits

Kiwi, supplier of vitamins A, B2, B3, B9, C and E.

Vitamin A helps our immune system and cell production.

B2 helps body growth and red cells production. Note, most fruits and vegetebales do not supply this particular vitamin.

B3 helping the nerve and digestive systems.

B9/Folate or Folic Acid is extremely important to maintaining good brain function.

Vitamin C is the most important of all vitamins. It plays a major role as an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect our cells against Free radicals which are by-products of our body’s metabolism. Free radicals can cause cell damage that might result in cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Vitamin E is another antioxidant. It also helps in youth maintainment of the skin, together with vitamin A. Both creating an advantage in the fight against feeling depressed.

Watermelon, supplier of vitamins A, B1, B3, and B6.

B1/Thiamine helps the body to convert carbohydrates into energy. Not having enough thiamine can result in fatigue and general weakness. Bananas are known to help us get a good night sleep, and supply us with vitamins B3, B6, B9, E, C and B5/ Pantothenic acid(also found in oranges) important for metabolism of food and formation of hormones and (good) cholesterol.

Vegetables

Avocado has vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 and C.

Peas: A, B1, B3, B6, B9 and C

Other recommended foods: potatoes, carrots, onion, artichoke, pine-nuts, chestnuts, and cashews.

Please note that vegetables can not supply us with Vitamin E, or B12. Fruits are not supplying us with vitamin B12, D, or K.

Vitamin K can be found in spinach and broccoli, and plays a big rol in blood clotting, and regulates calcium blood levels.

Vitamin B12 is important for the central nervous system and is only available from fish, poultry, meat or dairy products.

Vitamin D is obtained from sunshine and not from food.

Fruits and vegetables also supply us with the rest of the minerals we need such as iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and others.

Vitamin chart is available from: healthalternatives2000.com

It is very important to have a good variety, or choice of food. Having the same food all the time makes the mind dull. When confronted with a new, or forgotten food the mind produces more serotonin or even dopamine as a reward, and we will feel happier for some time.

According to Resources for Science Learning , The Franklin Institute, www.fi.edu “The Human Brain”

“The sugar snacks and soft drinks which offer a quick raise of your blood sugar levels are very bad for you”.

Reason is that they are short-lived in nature and that the body process that follows, depletes your bloodstream from Glucose which is the main energy source of the brain. Repeating this action many times can lead to Diabetes making the brain more vulnerable to damage. Furthermore, diabetes can lead to depression and decline in mental ability. <http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/carbs.html#complex>

Mental problems are not going away soon. Depression is a result, among other things, of jealousy, comparing ourselves to others, anger, stress, sadness, pleasure, and pain. All are related, and probably a result of the long evolution process of earth and the human brain-mind. Anyone wishing to be less depressed should accept all this, and the cards he has been dealt. This acceptance, combined with a balanced way of life, avoiding negative stress when possible, and eating right will help to lighten up depression which became a part of life for many.