Depression
Research
Diet &
Lifestyle
Diet
& Depression
Scientists at the University of Texas have conducted a study to assess the
dietary intake of individuals
experiencing a current episode of major depression. Twenty-two females and
7 males experiencing moderate to severe depression completed 3-day food
records. These food records were then analyzed to obtain an estimate of
the nutrient intake of male and female individuals experiencing a
depressive episode and this nutrient intake was compared to the
Recommended Dietary
Allowances (RDA).
The results showed considerable variations
existed in the dietary intake of both males and females with some
individuals in both groups consuming a diet containing less than the RDA
in one or more nutrients due to a decrease in food intake. The researchers
concluded that "a substantial percentage of the depressed sample
consumed less than the RDA of one or more nutrients" but that this
they suggested was due to an inadequate food intake rather than a
deficient diet.
Christensen L; Somers S. Adequacy of the
dietary intake of depressed individuals. Texas A&M University. J Am
Coll Nutr (UNITED STATES) Dec 1994, 13 (6) p597-600
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Amino-acid :
Tryptophan &
Depression
The amino-acid, Tryptophan, has been used with success to help
treat various forms of depression. In a double-blind study comparing Tryptophan with a
commonly used medication (Imipramine), Tryptophan was found to give 'highly statistically
significant improvements'. Whilst the patients who were given the drug had a more rapid
reduction in symptoms, over a longer period of time the tryptophan had equal efficacy with
fewer side effects than the imipramine.(1) Soya beans are very rich in
tryptophan.
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Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
& Depression
Vitamin B6 has been shown to be an effective remedy for
depression associated with oral contraception and menopause. It has been reported that
several studies have carried out estimating that many women become depressed because the
hormones are depleting their bodies of vitamin B6. (2) Vitamin B6 is found in bran,
wheatgerm, brewer's yeast, molasses, egg yolks, bananas, pulses, soya beans, sunflower
seeds, raw peanuts, avocados, prunes, raisins, sprouting seeds and grains.
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Physiology &
Posture & Depression
The way you stand, the way you sit, the way you talk and walk
- all have an effect on your emotions. In fact, studies have established that if we stand
upright, head erect, smile and breathe deeply, it is impossible to 'feel' depressed. In
one study involving manic depressive patients who had been on medication for twenty years,
it was found that, whilst they all did this, none required medication. Whilst this will
not deal with underlying emotional causes, it is a relevant factor in helping control
symptoms.
(1) K jensen et al., The Lancet Nov 8 1975,
p.920.
(2) The Practical Encyclopedia of Natural Healing (Rodale Press Inc) p131.
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Meditation
& Depression
Researchers at the School of
Behavioural Sciences, James Cook University of North Queensland,
Townsville, Australia recently demonstrated that meditation has an
observable and measurable influence on both our hormone levels and moods
which is similar to the changes experienced by long distance runners.
The researchers studied the relationship
between three hormones ( hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis,
beta-endorphin , corticotropin-releasing hormone and
cortisol and mood changes in 11 elite runners and 12 highly trained
meditators who were all matched in age, sex, and personality.
Interestingly, the results revealed that
despite the obvious metabolic differences between running and meditation,
both of these activities produced similar hormonal changes. Compared to
pre-test and control values, the subjects' moods were shown to be elevated
after both activities with no significant difference between the two
groups. Running produced significant elevations of beta-endorphins and
corticotropin-releasing hormone, and meditation produced similar
elevations in corticotropin-releasing hormone. When the results of the two
groups were compared, there was found to be no significant differences
between the respective influences on hormone levels and moods . The
researchers concluded that both running and meditation have a positive
influence on participants' moods which is thought to result from changes
in plasma levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone which occur after both
activities.
Harte JL; Eifert GH; Smith R. The effects
of running and mediation on beta-endorphin, corticotropin-releasing
hormone and cortisol in plasma, and on mood. Biological Psychology
(NETHERLANDS) June 1995, 40 (3) p251-65
It is now well known that physical exercise
can alter hormone levels within the body and have a positive effect on our
moods, however new research has demonstrated that meditation offers
similar benefits. Researchers at the School of Behavioural Sciences, James
Cook University of North Queensland, Townsville, Australia studied the
relationship between three hormones (
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, beta-endorphin
(beta-EP), corticotropin-releasing hormone
(CRH) and cortisol) and mood changes in 11
elite runners and 12 highly trained medidators matched in age, sex, and
personality.
Despite the obvious metabolic differences
between running and meditation, the researchers predicted that mood change
after both of these activities would be similar if they could be
associated with similar hormonal changes. Compared to pre-test and control
values, mood was shown to be elevated after both activities but there was
no significant difference between the two groups. There were significant
elevations of beta-EP and CRH after running and of CRH after meditation,
but no significant differences were seen in the increases in CRH levels
between the groups. CRH was found to be directly related to positive mood
changes after running and mediation. Cortisol levels were also noted to be
generally high but erratic in both groups.
The researchers
concluded that both running and meditation have a positive effect on our
moods which is associated with the changes in relation to plasma
corticotropin-releasing hormone.
Harte
JL; Eifert GH; Smith R. The effects of running and mediation on beta-endorphin,
corticotropin-releasing hormone and cortisol
in plasma, and on mood. Biol Psychol (NETHERLANDS) Jun 1995, 40 (3)
p251-65
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