Food Intolerance, Liver Cleansing and Digestive Disorder Treatment in London - Dirk Budka |
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Depression and Nutrition
“Food is the most important influence in determining the organisation of the brain and the behaviour that the brain organisation dictates” J.Z. Young
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Possible causes of depression:
PSYCHOLOGICAL
Loss of loved ones
Lack of intimacy
Victim of abuse
Stress (family, work)
Loss of loved ones
Financial problems
BIOCHEMICAL
Genetic
Substance abuse
Severe nutrient imbalance
Chronic illness
Note:
psychological causes can lead to biochemical imbalances –
Biochemical causes can lead to psychological imbalances
POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS FOR DEPRESSION
Low self esteem
Insomnia
Excessive sleep
Withdrawal from activity
Isolation
Indecisiveness
Boredom
Agorophobia
Substance abuse
Panic attacks
Fatigue
Suicidal thoughts
Apathy
Appetite lack or increase
Poor libido
Feeling helpless
Early morning insomnia
Lack of response to good news
Ongoing anxiety
Inappropriate behaviour
Negative outlook on life
Silent and unresponsive around people
“I do not care” attitude
Easily upset or angered
Inability to concentrate
Listening to mood music persistently
Self-destructive behaviour
BIOCHEMICAL depression has certain (different) symptoms:
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You have been depressed for a long time despite changes in your life
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Talk therapy has little or no effect; psychological probing questions leave you confused as a teetotaller at a stag party and makes you even think that the therapist needs therapy.
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You do not react to good news
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You wake up early morning and cannot get back to sleep
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You cannot trace the onset of your depression to any event in your life
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Your moods may swing between depression and elation over a period of months in a regular rhythm (see: bipolar disorder, cyclothymia and manic depression)
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Heavy drinking makes your depression worse.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS are the natural chemicals that facilitate communication between brain cells. These substances govern our emotions, memory, moods, behaviour, sleep, and learning abilities.
They are manufactured in the brain from the amino acids (protein building blocks) which are produced in the body and those we extract from foods.
The two major neurotransmitters involved in preventing depression are serotonin and norepinephrine.
Serotonin is converted from the amino acid L-tryptophan …
Norepinephrine is converted from the amino acids L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine.
You can resupply the vital neurotransmitter precursors by taking daily amino acid supplements.
Your symptoms will determine which amino acid you will take for depression: L-tryptophan for sleeplessness, anxiety, or irritability and L-tyrosine or L-phenylalanine for lethargy, fatigue, sleeping to much, feeling of immobility.
Tryptophan alone will not be converted to serotonin. Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C must go along with it. Tryptophan is converted to Niacin (B-vitamin used to reduce cholesterol) before its final conversion into serotonin. If your body is deficient in niacin (nicotinic acid) the tryptophan you take will supply you with niacin and not serotonin. (additional supplementation with a B-complex or extra niacin).
Orthomolecular rules say that you can take tryptophan in doses from one to six grams daily. Since it is not stored by the body, it cannot accumulate to toxic levels, BUT can produce side effects:
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drowsiness in the morning
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bizarre or strange dreams
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increased blood pressure in persons over 60 who already have a high blood pressure
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aggressiveness
Self-supplementation can be very harmful. Always consult with a specialised therapist.
Who should not take Tyrosine or Phenylalanine:
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Anyone with high blood pressure
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No one taking an MAO inhibitor for depression should take any of the two.
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No one with severe liver damage should take amino acids
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Do not take amino acids during pregnancy
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Do not take amino acids with an overactive thyroid or malignant melanoma
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People with a high level of biogenic amines are very prone to depression. These high levels can lead to an intolerance to certain food which are high in biogenic amines. Because the enzymes DAO and MAO are depleted, the result can be physical problems like hay fever, asthma, IBS-related symptoms, migraines, low blood pressure, etc… BUT can also lead to neurotransmitter failures.
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (EFA)
Another biochemical cause of depression is a genetic inability to manufacture enough PGE 1 (prostaglandin E1), which is an important brain metabolite derived from EFAs.
How to determine an EFA deficiency?
(from the book: EFAs and Immunity in Mental Health)
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A tendency to abuse alcohol/drugs or feel that it affects you diferently from others
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Trouble with alcohol in your teenage years
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Depression among close relatives
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A family history of alcoholism, depression, suicide, schizophrenia
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Depression that persists while you are abstinent from alcohol
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A personal or family history of Crohn’s Disease, hepatic cirrhosis, cystic fibrosis, atopic eczema, Sjogren-Larsson synrome
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A personal or family history of Ulcerative Colitis, IBS, diabetes
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Winter epression that lighten in spring
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Experiencing an emotional lift from certain foods or vitamins
VITAMIN AND MINERAL DEFICIENCY AND DEPRESSION
The B-complex vitamins are essential to mental and emotional well-being. They cannot be stored in our bodies, so we depend entirely on our daily diet. B-vitamins are destroyed by alcohol, refined sugar, nicotine and caffeine.
B1 (thiamine) deficiencies trigger depression and iritability and cause neurological and cardiac disorers among alcoholics.
B3 (niacin) depletion causes anxiety, epression and fatigue.
B5 (pantothenic acid): symptoms of deficiency are fatigue, chronic stress and drepression. It is needed for hormon formation and the uptake of amino acids and the brain chemical acetylcholine, which combine to prevent certain types of depression.
B6 (pyridoxine) Deficiency can disrupt the formation of neurotransmitters.
B12 deficiency can cause depression
And
Folic Acid deficiency is a common cause of depression
Magnesium: Symptoms of deficiency include confusion, apathy, loss of appetite, weakness and insomnia
Calcium: Depletion affects the central nervous system. Low levels cause nervousness and irratibility
Zinc: deficiency result in apathy, lack of appetite and lethargy. Copper levels can increase to toxic levels, resulting in paranoia and fearfulness
Iron: Depresion is often a symptom of chronic iron deficiency
Manganese: … is needed for the propper use of the B vitamins and vitamin C. It also helps to stabilise blood sugar and prevent hypoglycemic mod swings.
Potassium: Depletion is asociated with depression, weakness and fatigue.
HYPOTHYROIDISM AND DEPRESSION
Symptoms:
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depression
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mental sluggishness
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confusion
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poor memory
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fatigue
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low sex drive
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dry skin and brittle hair
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facial puffiness
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cold hands and cold feet
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sleeping long hours
The usual lab test for thyroid (T3, T4 and TSH) does not always tell the whole story
HYPOGLYCEMIA AND DEPRESSION
Identical signs for Hypoglycemia AND Depression:
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Nervousness
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Irritability
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Exhaustion
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Drowsiness
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Insomnia
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Constant worrying
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Mental confusion
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Rapid pulse
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Internal trembling
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Forgetfulness
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Headache
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Unprovoked anxieties
ONLY in Hypoglycemia:
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Faintness
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Cold sweats
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Digestive disturbances
Also to consider:
IBS and depression
Candida albicans and depression
Allergies and depression
Food additives/preservatives and depression
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