Carbohydrates: The Cause Of Major Depressive Disorders

Major depression is a commonly diagnosed psychological disorder affecting individuals’ ability to feel happiness and peace of mind. Those who suffer experience negative emotions, lack of motivation, changes in behaviour and dysfunctional cognitive symptoms. Depression is classified by the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as five of more of the listed symptoms present persistently over the same two weeks. One of these symptoms must be depressed mood or loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities. Depression causes disruption to typical daily life such as inability to maintain friendships and jobs. Other symptoms outlined by the DSM-5 include; insomnia, fatigue and recurrent thoughts of death. There is much debate over what exactly causes depression. Biological explanations question hereditary and neurotransmitter factors. While psychological theories include the cognitive ideas of Beck’s negative triad and hopelessness theory. This essay will focus on the ways in which psychological and biological explanations contrast and how their theories can overlap to better understand depression.

Raeder, Steen, Vollset, and Bjelland’s (2006) experimental study demonstrated that subjects who regularly consumed cod liver oil, rich in omega-3, were 30% less likely to develop depressive symptoms; however a causal link could not be made. A recent clinical trial discovered that omega-3 might improve mood in already depressed individuals (Hallahan, Hibbeln, Davis, & Garland, 2007). The trial reported that omega-3 supplementation achieved substantial reductions in surrogate markers of suicidal behaviours and increases in wellbeing.

During her four months spent in Italy, Gilbert explored the impacts of food on one’s health and overall happiness. Pasta, the staple meal and often the symbol of Italy, is a so-called “comfort food” – foods that provide consolation or a feeling of well-being, often high in sugar and carbohydrates. The American depression rate is approximately 9.6%, a significantly greater amount than Italy’s 3.8%. Important to note is Italy’s Mediterranean diet, high in fish and shellfish, which are both high in a fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential building block for the brain structure. According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there is a link between DHA deficiency and an increase in the prevalence of depression in the United States. One’s diet has a huge influence on their happiness and well-being; perhaps if Americans had a more balanced diets, our nation’s depression rate would show a decrease.

The body responds differently to food types, either healthy or convenience, and determines the mood and daily productivity of an individual. According to Donald D. Hensrud, in order to enjoy an increase in energy and good-feelings, eat more fruits and vegetables as they promote a healthy body

Our current lifestyles and daily diets are filled with processed foods, fast foods and generally very have little health benefits. This in turn has seen the increase of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety/

The association between folate deficiency and depression has been reported by countless studies dating back to the mid-20th century. In 1962, Herbert V first reported the cognitive symptoms related to inadequate folate intake.32 By placing himself on a folate free diet for 4.5 months he experienced irritability, insomnia and forgetfulness, the cardinal symptoms of depression.32 He goes on to note that all his ailments disappeared within 2 days of starting folate supplementation. 32 Subsequently, in 1970, Reynolds et al. report subnormal serum folate (less than 2.5ng/ml) and vitamin B12 (less than 150pg/ml) levels in 101 patients with depressive illness.33 Folate deficiency was nearly twice as common as vitamin B12 among depressed

Thirdly, the consumption of junk food can cause mental health problems which can lead to the reduction of student school performances. A poor diet definitely impacts a person’s mental state in negative way. In fact, the risk of depression increased 80% when you compare teens with a low-quality diet to those with a high quality diet. The risk of attention-deficit disorder aso increases by 50% (Miller). A good nutritious diet is crucial for brain development. If you eat food that nourishes you then it becomes protein-building blocks, enzymes, brain tissue, and neurotransmitters that transfer information and signals between various parts of the brain and body. Certain dietary patterns are linked to changes in proteins in the brain which increase connections between brain cell. A diet containing omega-3s and zinc boosts levels of that substance while a diet of saturated fat and sugars has a very potent negative impacts on brain proteins. A proper diet can fill your body with healthy

Mental health problems are believed to be the result of a combination of factors, including age, genetics and environmental factors. One of the most obvious, yet under-recognized factors in the development of major trends in mental health is the role of nutrition.(Associate Parliamentary & Health, 2008). Recent evidence suggests that good nutrition is essential for our mental health and that a number of mental health conditions may be influenced by dietary factors.. The body of evidence linking both diet and mental health is growing at a rapid pace ( Associate Parliamentary & Health, 2008). Recently, there have been a number of published studies identifying an inverse association between diet quality and the common mental disorders, namely depression and anxiety, in adults (Bellisle, 2004). Other prospective studies suggest that diet quality influences the risk for depressive illness in adults over time. The evidence indicates that food plays a contributing role in the development, management and prevention of specific mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease ( Associate Parliamentary & Health, 2008).

Another situation, it’s unfortunate to state that in many countries, people don’t even have a choice of having either a balanced or unbalanced diet. There is no food for many of them and they sadly suffer malnutrition. If the brain does not receive proper nutrition or if there are damaging cells surrounding the brain it can result in damage or injury to the brain tissues (“Nutritional Psychiatry”). Worst of all, now there’s an extensive amount of studies that are incorporating the possibility that mental health caused by diets can/are being transmitted across generations (“Brain Foods…” Gomez). One shouldn’t be worried about one, two, three, or even four, but hundreds of mental health problems that a bad nutrition can cause. Some of the mental health problems that one can suffer from having a poor nutrition on the long run is Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Depression. Dementia is a word to describe someone without mind

How the mind can be effected by the food? . What we eat is what we are. Food can change the mood of any person. For example, if someone ate a salad for breakfast will have better mode than someone who ate a burger for breakfast. Furthermore, food that contains sugar will have negative results on the mental, but the fruits and vegetables will absolutely benefit the mind. As Zwier explains, the food that contains Omega-3, and also that help the mind to focus and memorize things (2012). Some food gives the mind good energy types of food have some effects on people mental: amount of food, fats and how to avoid mental problems.

Sadness is how the human being reacts to the loss of a loved one, the struggles of life, the disappointments, and the frustrations. Although it is a normal feeling in all these situations, there is a broad difference between being sad and being depressed. Unlike normal feelings of sadness, depression overwhelms a person, last a long time, and interferes with his or her day-to-day life. According to the World Health Organization in 2010, depression was reported as the most common mental disorder; it affects 120 million people globally and is among the leading causes of disability. The person that suffers from depression has to deal with being misunderstood and under-diagnosed on a daily basis, which leaves the patient with physical,

The maintenance of mental health is crucial to the overall well-being of an individual. However, this dimension of health is often ignored and as a result mental illnesses are highly prevalent around the world. Many lifestyle factors contribute to the high risk of mental conditions. More specifically, recent studies have been performed to determine the association between diet and mental health. Although some researchers suggest that diet alone is not an indicator of positive mental health, a large number of studies have shown that a healthy diet is linked to a better mental health outcome. Firstly, a healthy diet improves cognitive function. Secondly, a healthy diet improves mood. Finally, a healthy diet reduces the likelihood of developing mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Therefore, a healthy diet is associated with better mental health as it improves the different aspects involved such as cognition and mood, and prevents any mental disorders.

The third text, How food can improve your mental health shows the possible connection between your diet and your mental health. Emma who is 34 years old was suffering from anxiety, depression and mental health, but after meeting up with a doctor they changed her diet from fast foods and general poor eating habits to more fresh foods and less sugar. After this change she noticed an improvement in her mental health.

Depression is the most common of all psychological disorders, affecting 100 million people worldwide. The depression ranges from mild feelings of uneasiness, sadness, and apathy to intense suicidal despair. (Kasschau) If left untreated, it could lead the

The third text, How food can improve your mental health shows the possible connection between your diet and your mental health. Emma who is 34 years old was suffering from anxiety, depression and mental health, but after meeting up with a doctor they changed her diet from fast foods and general poor eating habits to more fresh foods and less sugar. After this change she noticed an improvement in her mental health.