Winter, 2000 - 2001

Wholistic approach helpful in treating depression.
courtesy, Rainbow Natural Foods

Those of us born after World War Two are four times more likely to experience severe depression than our grandparents. Why are so many North Americans depressed these days? The dramatic increase in number of people with depression is thought to be the result of a number of modern society factors such as increased levels of stress, social and cultural changes, the effects of internal and external toxicity, and nutritional imbalances.

Depression involves the mind and the body, the uniqueness of the person and the environment in which a person lives. Depression can destroy friendships and marriages or result from the destruction of friendships and marriages. It may be caused from biochemical imbalances or from eating sugar and caffeine. It can cause physical illness or can be a result of chronic illness. By affecting the appetite it causes irregular and poor eating habits. And depression is just as significant in causing death from heart disease as are smoking and high blood pressure.

Depression demands a wholistic approach in its treatment because of the many factors that can be involved. For example, low levels of serotonin are linked to depression, which is why many of the commonly used antidepressant drugs work primarily by increasing the effects of serotonin. There is a link between low thyroid function and depression; however it is not clear which comes first. Stress is a major trigger for depression with exposure to environmental toxins being a significant factory. Food allergies have been found to alter moods and lead to depression. And living an unhealthy lifestyle and/or having nutritional deficiencies are also commonly seen in depressed individuals.

A health-promoting lifestyle and diet are very important in the treatment of depression. Cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, high sugar intake, over consumption of protein, blood sugar imbalances and nutritional deficiencies will all lower serotonin levels. Refined sugar and caffeine have definitely been shown to exacerbate depression and in some cases can cause it. A deficiency of any single nutrient can alter brain function and lead to depression. A diet rich in whole, natural, organic foods, including fruits, vegetables and legumes, is required to assure proper nutritional balance in the body.

Regular exercise may be the most powerful natural antidepressant known to man. Exercise increases the body's level of endorphins - chemical substances which help to elevate mood. As little as three hours per week of aerobic exercise can greatly reduce the effects of depression.

Each case of depression is its own maze. Determining how you got it is the first step to getting
out

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