Depression and Nutrition

Depression is a serious psychological disorder, it seems to sneak up on you and disappear just as quick. There are two types of depression, there is a normal depression, which we all go through, and there is clinical depression. The normal depression is like having the blues, and clinical depression is much more serious, it is usually caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. There are medications available to help lift the mood of people who suffer from clinical depression.

When most people are diagnosed with clinical depression doctors find out that they also suffer from nutrition malnutrition. Patients that are depressed usually lose all sense of being, they stop eating, and stop caring. Nutrition plays a part in every aspect of our body, if we don't eat right our body does not function properly. Depression is one of those diseases that food can not heal, but poor nutrition makes the body's ability to heal itself inapt. There are many symptoms of depression, loss of sleep, loss of appetite, disorientation, irritability, the person may complain of aches and pains.

Nutrition can play a role in alleviating some of the symptoms of depression. There are many vitamins and nutrients needed to help the body work properly. If a person with depression suffered from loss of sleep, then it might be prescribed by a physician to increase the amount of amino acids taking in, and for loss or appetite he may suggest an increase in iron. People with depression usually have the irritability in connection with the loss of sleep or appetite.

There are foods that should be included in a diet of a person that has clinical depression; meats provide protein that is helpful. Tryptophan and choline should be added to the diet, which helps the nervous system properly function. Choline and Tryptophan can be found in many fresh water fish. The foods that should be avoided are alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol acts as a depressant, which makes the situation worse, and caffeine easily interferes with sleep and promotes nervousness.