Links Between Diet and Depression - Guest Post

I have suffered from depression since I was a teen and am always looking for ways to help.  Today I am sharing an article from a guest writer named Danielle McAnn.  I hope you learn something new as I did. 

Danielle McAnn is a copywriter working with TLC where each meal is a healthier, nutritious and mouthwatering. When Danielle's not writing content, she enjoys swimming, shopping and taking her Golden Retriever for a walk.

Some links between diet and depression

Depression is at least partly regulated by chemical balances in our bodies

In 2012, a study was published by the American Journal of Psychiatry, suggesting that a modern 'Western' diet is easily linked to depression, due to the high instances of processed and fried foods we consume in the west. This partly due to the fact that serotonin and immunity are regulated by the chemicals in our gut. Chemicals used to process foods can kill important bacteria.

…a “traditional” dietary pattern characterized by vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, and whole grains was associated with lower odds for major depression or dysthymia and for anxiety disorders. A “western” diet of processed or fried foods, refined grains, sugary products, and beer was associated with a higher GHQ-12 (depression anxiety) score.

So, a diet high in essential oils, with fish, lean meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, and whole grains will help you fight chemical depression, combined with regular exercise. Doing this is also just basically important for helping us to carry out our usual activities. Food has another function, not just scientific. It is comforting, and important socially and culturally, not just biologically. Sharing a meal with friends or family, going out to a restaurant, getting take away, or having a delicious meal delivered can be therapeutic in itself. This is because eating is a natural, and community based activity, something that can help us to feel normal, or make us feel unusual or special depending on how we do it.

**This was a guest post.  No compensation was received or exchanged.  All info was provided to my by Danielle McAnn.**