What part of depression is biochemical? How much is psychological?
Well, the mind can effect the biochemistry of the body and vice versa. In her book, Seven Weeks to Sobriety, researcher Dr. Joan Mathews Larson describes how often hypoglycemics experience certain symptoms:
Nervousness 93%
Irritability 89%
Exhaustion 87%
Depression 86%
forgetfulness 69%
indecision 50%
(Now, I can relate to the indecision situation when, in my late 30s, I was in a state of exhaustion and unable to make a simple decision regarding lunch. Fortunately, I chose a carrot-ginger soup and chicken dish. and was able to think more clearly.)
Dr. Larson also claimed that her allergy patients were prone to emotional outbursts and depression. In one case, a patient fasted for a week, without symptoms. But, after a meal of pizza, the patient went into a crying fit.
It is also interesting to note that many alcoholics and suicide victims were deficient in minerals and vitamins. Some were especially deficient in vitamin C and had symptoms of scurvy. A person’s nutrient-deficient brain will often contribute to low blood sugar, confusion, and even depression.
My own experiences with megadoses of nutrition have been that after taking massive amounts of B vitamins, adopting a high-protein diet, and cutting out bread and processed foods, I had greater muscle gains, slept better, drank less alcohol, and had better focus. mental. .
It is not about ruling out cognitive or group therapies, but about providing one more tool in the toolbox of good health. I constantly urge my clients who are trying to lose weight or gain muscle to eliminate highly allergic foods that contain sugar, wheat, and corn. Replace these foods with protein-rich foods that strengthen your nerves, such as chicken, fish, beef, and vegetable proteins. These, along with fresh vegetables and berries, promote stable blood sugar levels and nourish the brain and nerve tissues.
Here is a typical low energy diet:
Breakfast: Coffee, wheat toast, processed cereal
Snack: coffee, danish
Lunch: Salad with dressing, fruit flavored yogurt, French fries. Pop.
Dinner: Coffee, hamburger and fries
Snack: Ice cream
This diet not only contains more than 20 teaspoons of sugar, but depletes vitamin and mineral stores and sends a person’s blood sugar on a roller coaster.
Here is a sugar stabilizing diet:
Breakfast: 2 eggs or egg whites and unsweetened oatmeal, a slice of rye, kamut or spelt bread. Multivitamin with a minimum of 500 mcg of vitamin B12, 100 mg of B1 and 300 mg of vitamin C.
Snack: Crackers and cheese or humus
Lunch: salmon salad
Dinner: Stir-fried chicken with brown rice
Snack: Oatmeal cookies
Before someone protests that the following eating plan is too expensive, can I interject that making your own breakfast costs 1/5 of a fast food or a couple of chocolate bars or a gourmet coffee? So, don’t even try that excuse. Many immigrant families eat well at a fraction of the cost of Western or fast food.
Plus, the cost of good nutrition and proper exercise will save you money in medical wages and lost from getting caught up in a case of sadness. (Note: This article is not intended to take the place of professional treatment for the clinically depressed.)