What foods can cause depression?

[Kalashnikova]

In Russia we have a very poor health system. since some foods can be a cause for depression, do you know what those are? What foods can cause depression?

[willsmom]

I have read what foods help depression but I have not read about foods that cause depression. Depression is brought on by low levels of serotonin. I imagine too much sugar would not be helpful to a depressed person because sugar can bring you down. Or if you take in too much caffeine? I really don't know but would be interested if someone did.

K.

[InternalFlame]

I think it has less to do with what foods make you depressed, and more with what foods help. Fresh vegetables and fruit are very uplifting because they are nourishing, and when your body is well nourished, your chemicals levels are balanced, and then you are happy. I'm pretty sure that people who eat a lot of fatty foods with little vitamins are depressed because they are not getting the nutrients they need to keep their chemical levels balanced.

I would have to definetly say to avoid depression caused by foods, simply eat a healthy, balanced diet.

[Gerioke]

Foods containing gluten can make some people depressed. Flour pasta white bread, brown bread, cereals all have gluten.

[Trinity]

Gerioke ehhem... Pasta is my Comfort food

[Gerioke]

Gerioke ehhem... Pasta is my Comfort food

I said some people.

My wife did some research on it because she suffers from depression. She is now taking a natural product from the states called serenity.

[DaniJ87]

Don't get afraid of grains.. they have important nutrients that you need, (and are a good source for the carbohydrates your body needs to function properly.)

Yeah... If you do not eat healthily, and have deficiencies in different nutrients, you will probably not feel very cheerful... Eat enough protein, because a protein deficiency can cause major problems. (enough = about 6 oz...)

(nutrition class this semester....)

[Elisabeth]

Some people crave carbohydrates, but it's a temporary good feeling. These turn to sugar in the body, which we all know can be bad.

My husband is on antidepressants, and his doctor told him to avoid sugar. He said to eat protein, but not fatty protein. Low-fact cheese, certain nuts, chicken and fish (without antibiotics added). My husband drinks a protein drink. The amino acids are supposed to be good for him.

In the US, we eat sooooo much processed food, and that can be so bad for you also.

As others have noted, it's more in the line of foods one should avoid.

But the closer you can get a food to it's "natural condition" before it has been over-processed, the better it will be for you.

I hope this helps.

[Guest LadyC]

i ran a quick search on google and came up with this... i can't vouch for their accuracy, but they SOUND knowledgeable... and another site i found also talked about some of the same things.

http://www.findthelight.net/nat_depression.htm

Nutritional Causes of Depression

Frequent consumption of caffeine or sucrose (table sugar)

B vitamins deficiencies (biotin, folic acid, thiamine, B6, B2, or B12)

Deficiencies of vitamin C

Mineral deficiencies including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium or potassium

Excesses of magnesium or vanadium

Food allergies or sensitivities

Preservatives, dyes, additives and heavily processed foods

Foods to AVOID When Depressed

Refined and simple sugar (white sugar, honey, fructose, maple syrup, etc). These deplete your body of B vitamins. They also increase hypoglycemia linked to mood swings and depression.

Heavily processed foods with additives and preservatives

[Trinity]

Gerioke ehhem... Pasta is my Comfort food

I said some people.

My wife did some research on it because she suffers from depression. She is now taking a natural product from the states called serenity.

Haha... i'm just messin' with you