Thursday, October 9, 2008

Diet for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Proper nutrition is fundamental for anyone struggling with depression.

When the body does not feel good the mind is soon to follow. Depressed thinking often results in poor dietary choices. When we are depressed and in a low light setting we crave carbohydrates so that the body can produce more serotonin.

However, sugar is exactly what the body does not need in the long term for healing from depression. The best diet for those with depression, anxiety, and bi-polar to follow is the LOW GLYCEMIC INDEX DIET. Balancing out the blood sugar will help keep the mood at an even keel throughout the day. Be sure to eat protein with every meal and especially foods high in tryptophan such as turkey, cottage cheese, peanuts, fish, eggs, oatmeal, avocados, and bananas.

A high quality multi-vitamin will cover all the bases and ensure that you are not deficient in any of the B vitamins that are coenzymes for producing the neurotransmitters that make us feel happy.

Remember, that you are what you eat, and if you want to feel happy and FULL of life, you need to be filled with foods that are also full of life! Read more about adopting a WHOLE FOODS DIET.
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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I don't like avocado, bananas or peanuts much at all. Do you have any substitutes I can try? Alternatively, can I purchase tryptophan and take it in tablet form?

November 2, 2008 at 9:14 PM

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Disclaimer:

This website is intended for educational purposes only. Read our full disclaimer. Always work with your physician for proper care and supervision. Be safe, and never make any changes to your health without first consulting with your physician. The life threatening condition Serotonin Syndrome can occur from the "additive" effect of combining certain herbs, supplements, and pharmaceutical medications. Patients with bi-polar disorder may experience manic episodes from the use of natural medicines that have an anti-depressant like effect. Everyone with a mental health condition should be under the care of a licensed physician. If you are ever suicidal you must ask for help, call 911, or your local crisis hot-line. Have your physician check for drug interactions before implementing any new health regimes, and always be cautious when combining natural medicines and drugs for depression, bi-polar, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD).