How Diet And Health Impact Depression

 

Truth be told, depression is much more than an “emotional issue.” There truly is a science behind all of this, as genetic links and research studies have shown. And proving that point even more, is a new article from the acclaimed online medical resource, WebMD. Doctors from that site now claim that even germs and microorganisms play a part in chronic sadness, as evidenced by a newly discovered gut bacteria.

 

The link can tie back to certain diets and a lack of probiotics. When surveying roughly 2,100 adults, WebMD’s researchers found that those with depression did have differences in specific groups of gut bacteria. Those with an imbalance of microbes suffered from issues with their immune system and a decrease in the production of chemicals that influence the brain.

 

This chemical deficiency (at least among the 2,100 surveyed) showed direct links to depression. The other notable stat to be revealed was the “vicious cycle” that occurs once this diagnosis has taken place. We know that many people with depression don’t eat well and often have a loss of appetite. According to the researchers, those symptoms only further the problem.

 

“It becomes almost like a chicken-and-egg question,” UCLA researchers Dr. Emeran Mayer told the site. “People with depression certainly have different diets, and different habits, than people without depression. And that would affect the gut microbiome.”

 

Continued studies are being done to determine the initial causes of this type of bacterial infection and how it can be combated. Dr. Mayer did admit that healthier eating and regular vitamin supplements would all be beneficial. But science has yet to prove if that alone will completely remove the issue.

 

Foods that have shown to have a positive effect thus far include vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains (all of which fall into a healthy regular diet). Dr. Mayer also emphasized the avoidance of processed foods if you think you’re suffering from depressive symptoms.

 

“I’d say eat a diet that’s largely plant-based and highly variable in the types of plant foods,” Mayer concluded. “If you’re just eating tomatoes, that’s not enough.”

 

Obviously, overcoming depression requires a lot more than changing what you eat. But we wholeheartedly agree that a healthy diet can make a significant difference in your emotional (and physical) well being. Nevertheless, we encourage anyone suffering from chronic sadness to reach out and add therapeutic support into your recovery toolkit.

 

Can Heavy Stress Hurt Your Immune System?

If you haven’t had the chance to follow the blogs of WebMD, we highly recommend doing so. The famed medical site has a ton of helpful information related to health and wellness. One recent topic that they covered seemed extra poignant to us, primarily because it is something that we have seen firsthand.  According to their scientific data, intense stress can increase a person’s odds of developing an autoimmune disease.

Using research that included over 100,000 case studies, doctors from the site determined that people who face stress on a daily basis have a 35 percent greater risk of contracting issues like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease than those who do not. Even more interesting, was the fact that the likelihood increases among women, particularly those who are African-American, Hispanic or Native-American.

“Patients suffering from severe life stressors should seek medical treatment due to the risk of chronicity of these symptoms and thereby further health decline, such as the increased risk of autoimmune disease,” lead researcher Dr. Huan Song wrote on the site. “This study adds to the evidence of the link between stress conditions and physical well-being, warranting further attention to the reduction of trauma and other causes of stress conditions, as well as improving treatment of these conditions.”

Indeed, trauma was brought up as a major trigger point as well. The research concluded that there was still no definitive reason as to why they increase the immune system risks, but there are several theories. One has to do with the fact that people dealing with these conditions tend to sleep less, which can have physical repercussions on the body. There are also strong associations between stress and substance abuse, which has been proven to do damage to people’s nervous systems.

The good news is, Dr. Song and others believe that these traits can be reversible. The key factor, though, is treatment. Examples used were support groups, certain anti-depressants (particularly for people dealing with PTSD) and ongoing therapy to cope with life’s stressors.

“There are now several treatments, both medications and cognitive behavioral approaches, with documented effectiveness,” she concluded. “It is notable that when people received effective treatment, their risk for autoimmune disorders was lessened.”

At inneractions, we too believe that treatment is essential to reduce theses risks. We offer Stress Management sessions at our facility and welcome anyone impacted by trauma or severe life challenges to reach out and get the help they deserve.