Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
Could your next meal help relieve depression?
Perhaps, if the menu includes fatty fish like salmon or herring fish, walnuts, sugar beets or beet molasses.
Those foods contain substances that had an antidepressant effect in tests on rats, researchers report in the Feb. 15 issue of Biological Psychiatry.
The substances are omega-3 fatty acids (search) and uridine (search).
Abundant omega-3 fatty acids are found in certain fish --- especially in fatty fish like salmon and herring --- as well as walnuts and flaxseed.
Studies have found that societies that eat lots of fish have lower depression rates, possibly due to omega-3 fatty acids.
But in America, where fish isn't a dietary staple, depression is common.
Nearly 19 million people per year in the U.S. have depression, says the National Institute of Mental Health (search).
The new study comes from William Carlezon Jr., PhD, and colleagues from McLean Hospital's psychiatry department.
Lastly, they tried combining lower doses of both uridine and omega-3 fatty acids.
The rats stopped acting helpless and did their best, even though the test was still stacked against them.
The uridine injections acted right away, but the omega-3 fatty acids took 30 days to kick in.
That's about as long as it takes for people to get depression relief from many antidepressant drugs like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (search) (SSRIs), say the researchers.
Any supplements added to your regular medications have the potential to cause a serious interaction, so check with your health care provider to make sure it's safe.
As for uridine, sugar beets and beet molasses are food sources.
Diet may be one piece of the puzzle, but depression is too serious to handle on your own.
Any of you think this is worth persuing? It cant hurt right?
Perhaps, if the menu includes fatty fish like salmon or herring fish, walnuts, sugar beets or beet molasses.
Those foods contain substances that had an antidepressant effect in tests on rats, researchers report in the Feb. 15 issue of Biological Psychiatry.
The substances are omega-3 fatty acids (search) and uridine (search).
Abundant omega-3 fatty acids are found in certain fish --- especially in fatty fish like salmon and herring --- as well as walnuts and flaxseed.
Studies have found that societies that eat lots of fish have lower depression rates, possibly due to omega-3 fatty acids.
But in America, where fish isn't a dietary staple, depression is common.
Nearly 19 million people per year in the U.S. have depression, says the National Institute of Mental Health (search).
The new study comes from William Carlezon Jr., PhD, and colleagues from McLean Hospital's psychiatry department.
Lastly, they tried combining lower doses of both uridine and omega-3 fatty acids.
The rats stopped acting helpless and did their best, even though the test was still stacked against them.
The uridine injections acted right away, but the omega-3 fatty acids took 30 days to kick in.
That's about as long as it takes for people to get depression relief from many antidepressant drugs like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (search) (SSRIs), say the researchers.
Any supplements added to your regular medications have the potential to cause a serious interaction, so check with your health care provider to make sure it's safe.
As for uridine, sugar beets and beet molasses are food sources.
Diet may be one piece of the puzzle, but depression is too serious to handle on your own.
Any of you think this is worth persuing? It cant hurt right?
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
Get enough tryptophan
Serotonin is made from a constituent of protein, the amino acid tryptophan Tryptophan is especially rich in fish, turkey, chicken, cheese, beans, tofu, oats and eggs. You can also supplement a type of tryptophan extracted from beans called 5-HTP 100mg a day.
Bump Up Your Bs
Your brain and body needs B vitamins, especially folic acid. These are rich in green leafy vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds, and other whole foods. Supplement a mood food formula providing at least 100mcg of folic acid, 10mcg of B12, 20mg of B6, 40mg of niacin (B3), together with 100mg of 5-HTP and tyrosine, another important amino acid.
Exercise is natural light
Modest exercise such as a daily 30 minute walking regime can significantly help to boost mood and increasing exposure to natural daylight or using full-spectrum light bulbs for indoor lighting also helps, especially if you are prone to the winter blues.
Have your thyroid level checked
A classic cause of depression is having an underactive thyroid. The telltale signs of an underactive thyroid are lethargy, depression, indigestion or constipation, poor memory and weight gain. If you have these symptoms and nothing else is working see your doctor and check for this. Also check yourself for food intolerance or allergy. A gluten or wheat allergy is a common cause of depression
I guess it would help if there were a list of foods that are depression fighters. Gona do some more research lol
i take the capsules..has the added benefit of helping your hair and skin...it def keeps my skin from becoming too dry.
not sure what it does for my depression..kinda stable on cymbalta..so dunno. :)
My fav.. xx