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More and more, we hear about the sad and unhappy state of the world. Watch TV, and you are guaranteed to see an incredible amount of advertising for “this drug” and “that drug” to treat the effects of depression, and if you listen to the news eventually you are going to hear someone talk about the rising rates of depression in our society. Coincidentally, the obesity rate, and the “just plain overweight” rates in Canada are also rising at an alarming rate, and this too gets a lot of media attention. On the topic of both, want to hear a couple of crazy stats? According to the Statistics Canada website, depression currently affects 4-6% of our population, and if you think that sounds like a lot, the Canadian obesity rate is around 25%! With two factors like that, one can’t help but wonder if the two are somehow correlated... I did, and this is what I found:
If you type into a search engine on the Internet “Depression Rates in Obese People” you will get over 2 million results. Some of these results say “depression rate 50% higher in obese people”, and then some say “obesity 50% higher in depressed people”. Some say a lot on both. Either way, there is definitely a link between depression and being overweight.
Ever wondered whether or not what YOU are eating is having a direct effect on your mood? To answer that question simply, think about a time when you ate something really greasy, really unhealthy, or really sugary. It’s not hard to notice that within minutes of finishing those types of foods you definitely feel... Different. And not in a good way. So if it is true that being overweight, and/or frequently eating bad foods makes a large percentage of people depressed, or unhappy, then it must be true that having a healthy diet and being fit will make a large percentage of people happier! Great news I say!
Now, there have been plenty of studies, and plenty of media coverage on the uplifting mood benefits of exercising, but are there certain foods that can uplift you more than others?! I set out to find the answer... And I have to say things are looking up... Right from the plate in front of you!
It turns out that what we eat has a huge effect on our brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters largely associated with our “good moods” are serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine... They are responsible for us feeling happy, calm, alert, and energetic. Eating “junk food” (simple carb laden, high in trans and saturated fats, low nutrient food) is shown to lower our levels of these chemicals, making us more stressed, tense, and reducing our alertness.
Here are some foods that are being proven to make you smile, inside and out:
Skim milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, and eggs: These are all high in Vitamin B – which can help to improve your mood by stabilizing your emotions. These foods can also help boost the immune system! Who isn’t happier without a cold?!
Edamame Beans: These high protein little veggies are shown to regulate blood sugar, and even blood sugar is shown to help keep a stable mood. Never mind, they are delicious!!
Ground Flax Seed, Beans, Omega 3 Eggs, and Flax Seed Oil: Omega 3 fats are shown to increase serotonin levels and serotonin is the chemical that really makes us calm and happy. Omega 3’s can help you be sharp, since serotonin also makes you feel less stressed. Less stress = more focus.
Turkey, Red Meat, Lean Meat: Meat, and especially turkey, is high in Tryptophan. You know after that fabulous thanksgiving turkey dinner, when you hit the couch with a big grin on your face and a soul full of holiday spirit? You can thank Tryptophan for contributing! Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, and also is converted to vitamin B3 (niacin) in the liver... So you have a double whammy of get happy! If you are vegan, or vegetarian, you can also get your Tryptophan from bananas, nuts, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, or red or brown rice!
Blueberries, Blackberries, and Mostly All Berries: Berries are normally rich in Vitamin C and Antioxidants, which are known to be stress busters. They are also high in fibre, and fibre helps to regulate blood sugar which in turn regulates mood. Additionally, antioxidants are shown to help anti-aging , and who isn’t happier when they are looking and feeling younger?!
All in all, there is a definite link to being healthy, and being happy, and with so many ways to achieve better health you owe it to yourself to try and be your very best, loving self – to yourself! An easy way to start is to research the “Mediterranean Diet”, which includes all of the things above as well as is a balanced healthy way to eat in general. This type of diet is being shown to be the most nutritionally sound, as well as vast in the variety of foods you get to eat! (Variety is the spice of life). I know I thoroughly enjoy eating this way!
I plan to write about the "Mediterranean Diet" on another day, but in the meantime, here are a few links to some good “Mediterranean Diet” sites:
Happy eating!!!
1 comments:
Hi,
I hope all is well with you. Healthline just published an infographic detailing the effects of depression on the body. This is an interactive chart allowing the reader to pick the side effect they want to learn more about.
You can see the overview of the report here: http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/effects-on-body
Our users have found our guide very useful and I thought it would be a great resource for your page: http://charmedchatter.blogspot.com/2010/09/happiness-diet-talking-about-nutrition.html
I would appreciate it if you could review our request and consider adding this visual representation of the effects of depression to your site or sharing it on your social media feeds.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
All the best,
Maggie Danhakl • Assistant Marketing Manager
Healthline • The Power of Intelligent Health
660 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
www.healthline.com | @Healthline | @HealthlineCorp
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