Comments on: Depression, Lifestyle and Processed Food

By: Scott Volltrauer

Scott Volltrauer — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:22:40 +0000

So what your saying is I should pass up those Chicago Hot Dogs?!?

I find THAT a rather depressing thought!

By: 韓国刺身

韓国刺身 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:03:01 +0000

韓国では、刺身をわさびじょうゆのほか、チョコチュジャンといわれる酢味噌につけて食べたり、特製だれとともに葉野菜で巻いて食べたりします。このお店でも、香ばしいオリジナルの特製だれが刺身とともに出され、本場韓国の食べ方で刺身が味わえます。

By: littleengine

littleengine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:49:36 +0000

Whoops — In above post, I meant to say, “grains and vegetables.” The only fruit I’m aware of that contains significant lithium is lemons. Eggs are also a good source.

By: littleengine

littleengine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:48:12 +0000

There is also some preliminary evidence to suggest that diets higher in natural sources of lithium — found naturally in varying concentrations in drinking water, fruits and vegetables — may be somewhat protective against depression.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2629959

Schrauzer GN, de Vroey E. Effects of nutritional lithium supplementation on mood: A placebo-controlled study with former drug users. Biol Trace Elem Res 40(1):89-101, 1994

Fierro AA. Natural low dose lithium supplementation in manic-depressive disease. Nutr Perspectives January, 1988:10-11

Some of these studies involve rats, of course. But it’s an intriguing idea, and worth exploring further.

There is also evidence that rates of hospitalization for psychosis and a number of other mental illnesses are higher in regions, such as parts of Texas, where there is a lower-than-usual level of lithium in tap water.

By: Tim Irving DC, MS

Tim Irving DC, MS — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:41:07 +0000

Here’s a physiological link that I try and impress upon my students and patients high glycemic diets (those high in sugar) can lead to a “insulin overload” which causes our blood sugar to drop too rapidly. This in turn, may cause us to utilize cortisol to bring our blood sugar levels back to a homeostatic range (normal). Excess cortisol does a bunch of things to our endocrine physiology including interrupting the communication necessary to maintain our entire endocrine system (the communication between the hypnothalamus and pituitary gland).
Clinically, I see improper blood sugar regulation preceding depression and hormonal/neurotransmitter problems. At my Portland, OR, chiropractic and nutrition clinic (http://OptFunction.com), I often start with encouraging a diet of whole foods, not too much, mostly vegetables (to paraphrase a statement by Michael Pollan in “In Defense of Food”: http://tinyurl.com/ygg32jv).

By: Eat Healthy, Whole Foods or Risk Depression | The Optimum Function Blog

Eat Healthy, Whole Foods or Risk Depression | The Optimum Function Blog — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:31:00 +0000

[...] I wanted to pass this article on to you all, it’s about how unhealthy eating (a diet of processed foods) can cause depression and how depressed individuals make unhealthy food choices. It becomes a vicious cycle. Here’s the link: Depression, Lifestyle and Processed Food [...]

By: Katrin

Katrin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:34:56 +0000

Thanks, TBG, I had not seen that, and am glad I did. What do I know, anyway? (smile)
That was a good comment.

I will look at your links, too. Katrin

By: David

David — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:42:29 +0000

Interesting information. I heard of sugar effecting depression, but not processed food.

By: TPG

TPG — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:31:03 +0000

Actually, the notion of a “sugar high” is an urban myth. Well, maybe not just urban!

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2747/does-giving-sweets-to-kids-produce-a-sugar-rush

And from Duke University:

http://news.duke.edu/2002/02/mm_debunkingthe.html

p.s. Katrin? I saw an interesting recent comment to your post about David Schnarch at http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/09/14/why-women-and-men-fake-orgasm/ I don’t know if you’ve read it. It’s the last one there.

By: Katrin

Katrin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:22:52 +0000

Sugar can really be used like a drug, and therefore it also causes you to ‘come down’ from it.

By: Katrin

Katrin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:20:56 +0000

Another explanation is that eating well is work.
You need to shop frequently, and prepare meals, and that is the last thing I would feel like doing when I am depressed.

On the other hand, if I had a cook and was able to order, I would certainly chose healthy food over junk. Junk is equal to not having to deal with food? And so is not eating at all.

More sugar, though? Very likely!

By: Depression, Lifestyle and Processed Food | Hacker Journals

Depression, Lifestyle and Processed Food | Hacker Journals — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:44:32 +0000

[...] Read more… [...]

By: TPG

TPG — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:20:24 +0000

And the fourth explanation is that people who tend to eat less processed food (as opposed to fast food eaters) are the people who tend not to eat in their cars, on the go, or on the job, and thus have stronger social relationships (illustrated by sitting down with friendds/family to an actual slow-cooked dinner!), which have also been shown to be inversely correlated with depression.

That is, the higher the degree of social relationship, the lower the incidence of depression.

It’s not necessarily the food. It’s who’s doing the eating.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:28:05 +0000

This is interesting! As someone who suffers from depression i truly think there is a link between sugar and depression. i’ve found that a few days after eating sugar, that i tend to suffer depressive episodes. i’ve tracked it and try to stay away from it (sugar) as much as i can. Thanks for the info!

Rob