The causes of depression are related to the mental state, nutrition, and the health of gut flora. This article describes the general reasons and emotional components that lead to this condition. We can learn more about the correlation between nutrition and depression, as well as the health of gut flora and the effects of prebiotics and omega fatty acids in order to solve the problem.
The depression and its causes
The depression is a condition associated with the (on the increase) decrease of zest for life and pep.
Other different symptoms such as anxiety, fear, reduced ability to concentrate can contribute to this.
The process can range from dejectedness, through the sense of guilt to bitterness and finally experiencing the total loss of hope.
We have knonw for a long time that the quality of nutrition is associated with it. Recent researsch has made it clear that the digestive sysytem -particularly the gut flora -also has an impact of the health of emotional state.
There are different types of depression, depending on the cause of the development of the depression:
- It occurs as a result of various diseases.
- It develops with taking medication.
- After a traumatic event
- Through physical changes such as hormone levels
- Due to malnutrition
- Many series of failures, reduces self-esteem
- Unhappy / bad relationships, broken relationships
- Excessive focuse on negative thingsEmotional causes of depression
A depressed person- not temporarly or for a short period of time, but chronic or severe depression-is no longer able to handle his/her life and lost the control of his/her life. His/her soul is filled with negative memories, reactions, and s/he is just about to forget the positive experiences.
S/he mostly sees everything on the darker side, his/her state of mind can be due to the lack of something but s/he can’t find the real reasosns.
This person may also have a number of desires, but assumes that something will happen, someone will solve it, against this only a change by his/her own efforts could make a different and help overcome this state. There could be a number of strong repressed emotions- anger, aggression- in the background. Later on, these emotions can show themselves as negative states of the body or mind.
Depressed people often turn their backs on life and don’t face the things that life brings. In severe case, s/he closes him/herself off totally to the outside world, give up his/her ability to change. S/he fears life as well as death.
S/he lives in the past, thirsts for something else, don’t accept the situation (and himself), sees a great contrast between what is there and what would be ideal for himself, in conditions, people, relationships. He is sensitive and may feel guilty, but he can use his state as a manipulative tool against his surroundings. /people surrounding him.
Losing a person, long-term tension, stress, loss of life goals, and ideals can cause depression. Negative confrontation with life. Repressed anger, pain, sadness can lead to escape, dejectedness, and even to give up on things.The solution is to find the opportunities again, to find the good again – if necessary, conscious relaxation, meditation – and then to find your way back to life gradually, to find joy, to take on tasks and to solve them.
The relationship between depression and nutrition
Mechanisms associated with inflammation are often behind the development of depression. Regular consumption of foods that promote inflammation is a major threat. Sweetened soft drinks and white flour products are very bad in this regard.
Many processed foods – refined grains, fat milk products, sweets influence your moods to a greater extent. In contrast, those who follow a natural and healthy diet can keep their mental status in proper condition with a greater inner strenght, energy and awareness.
In recent decades, several studies have shown that foods that promote or reduce inflammation are associated with the possibility of developing depression, but also with preventing it. The inflammation factor and susceptibility to unhappiness are much higher among consumers who consume fast-absorbing carbohydrates, processed red meat, sugary and artificial sweets.
Inflammation associated with nutrition has an impact on the development of depression, on depression maintaining and even on aggravating it. Proper nutrition is therefore the key to avoiding depression. Research shows that consumers of more fiber have more gut bacteria, which are also responsible for creating chemicals that affect mood.
There is a direct relationship between a sufficient quantity of vitamins and mood changes. In particular, the presence of vitamins C and E affects consciousness, physical condition, and most of the B vitamins affect the nervous system. In addition, foods and food supplements containing a lot of antioxidants have a positive effect on mood because they protect against stress.
Some studies report that foods containing a lot of arachidonic acids increase the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms. These are mainly found in animal source foods such as eggs, beef, pork and chicken. They also promote the likelihood of developing inflammations. Numerous experiments have shown that a diet that contains less meat and more fruits and vegetables can improve the general mood, well-being and natural joy of people. The chemical balance of the brain plays an important role in the state of mind.
The pro-inflammatory foods have a negative impact on the chemical state of the brain, while certain plant foods – like berries, onions and some spices, green tea – have a positive effect.
In general, candy consumption temporarily reduces the negative psychological state, but will lead to less desirable side effects. Poor nutrition – including excessive consumption of refined, sugared foods or the excessive amounts of omega-6 – contributes to the development of negative states of mind.
The solution to the diet is to switch to more natural foods, especially vegetables and fruits. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help. Some experiments have already shown that a deficiency in omega-3 can often lead to negative mental states, psychotic symptoms, depressive moods.
A relationship can be demonstrated between fast food rich in saturated and trans fatty acids and processed foods and depressive states. This means that those who consume such foods are much more likely to become depressed. While those who mainly consume foods containing polyunsaturated fatty acids – like some residents of the Mediterranean countries – rarely experience the depression.
Several experiments have shown that an unfavorable balance between omega-3 and omega-6 increases susceptibility to inflammatory diseases and also to depression. The ideal balance between omega-3 and 6 fatty acids can do the opposite, reducing the likelihood of these diseases occurring.
The heatlhy gut flora and depression
If the gut flora changes, it influences the behavior. Various studies have already shown that the existence or absence of part of the total bacteria affects the state of the psyche. Since these changes also control action, they often lead people on the wrong path.
Bacteria in the stomach constantly send signals to the brain. If the gut flora is not yet damaged, e.g. by an antibiotic cure, it is better to concentrate on their nurture. Whole plant foods are very beneficial because they contain substances that help the work of the prebiotics.
The beneficial polyphenol-containing plant nutrients can only be released for absorption in a good gut flora. Gut bacteria and gut wall cells also produce serotonin, which is responsible for regulating mood. Solving psychological problems and tension requires more energy, which our body receives primarily through the functioning of the intestine.
Too much tension, problems and mental exhaustion can – conversely – also reduce the proper functioning of the intestine. This can lead to various digestive problems that further worsen your mental state. A vicious circle is thus formed.
The intestine and nervous system are in close contact with each other, which also affects the immune system.
High-fiber plant foods support this process positively and contribute to the perfect functioning of the gut flora.
But such “substitutes” like alcohol, lots of sweets and acidic foods take us in the wrong direction. Even in a bad mood, it is better to focus on eating enough fruits and vegetables
Prebiotics and depression
Prebiotics belong to the beneficial bacteria. The best known are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. They not only have a positive effect on the health of the digestive system, but also strengthen the immune system. In addition to maintaining or restoring the health of gut flora, they have many other positive effects.
They contain various vitamins. They help absorb minerals and prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms. Nowadays we know that prebiotic foods and supplements relieve anxiety and help overcome depression.
According to research and test results of scientists, prebiotic foods and supplements reduce the activity of areas in the brain that are responsible for pain.
According to some studies, taking prebiotics for a few weeks can increase the ability of white blood cells to destroy harmful intruders in the body as well as their activity against cancer cells.
In the future, research could help treat diseases with natural preparations instead of medications. For example, prebiotics treat those diseases of gut flora that cause psychological symptoms.
Summary
Depression is a disease that can be traced back to a lof reasons and can’t be treated easily. However, it can be tackled effectively. The most effective way is to start the countermeasure on several fronts- mentally, through lifestyle and through nutrition. To do this, it is needed to change the attitude and to make effort towards a healthier nutrition.
