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Depression is not just a bad mood and melancholy from time to time. This is a powerful element that can crush life, alienate from loved ones, take away all the joy of existence. The euphoria that cookies, sweets, sugary drinks and other goodies give quickly evaporates, and then the mood plummets. Jacob Teitelbaum, a well-known American doctor with 30 years of experience, in his book “Sugar Free” tells how to get off these “sugar slides” and regain peace of mind and health.
What Happens to Sugar in the Body During Depression
For a short time, sugar consumption raises serotonin levels and makes a person happier: sugar increases insulin levels, insulin pumps the hormone tryptophan into the brain, converting there into serotonin. But with the development of insulin resistance, sugar relieving depression and raising mood is getting worse and worse. Insulin resistance can even cause a drop in serotonin levels in the brain, so eating sugar becomes meaningless. Simply put, large amounts of sweets make you feel good at first, but lead to even greater fluctuations in blood sugar, worsening symptoms, and ultimately sugar dependence.
Depression is often due to nutritional deficiencies associated with excess sugar intake. Hypothyroidism and low estrogen levels, which often accompany sugar dependence, can significantly spoil your mood. Men who are depressed often have low or even low testosterone levels. Studies have shown that older men with abnormally low levels of free testosterone are 271 percent more likely to develop depression than those with normal levels of this hormone. Bioidentical testosterone (not to be confused with the dangerous high doses of synthetic hormone used by some bodybuilders) is often more effective than antidepressants, even if testosterone levels appear to be technically normal.
Nutritional and hormonal deficiencies, which are common in sugar addicts, can lead to deficiencies in serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, the main substances in the brain that regulate mood. This, in turn, can make you want to boost your mood with sugar, which will plunge you into even more depression as a result.
Insufficient thyroid activity
An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) is one of the most important causes of depression. Patients who are unresponsive to antidepressant therapy often respond very well to thyroid hormones, although tests indicate they are normal. However, there is one but: in depression, only the active thyrohormone T3 is triggered.
In 2003, a study was conducted in Israel on patients with severe depression who did not respond to antidepressants, even at high doses. They were prescribed the active hormone T3. It turned out that this thyroid hormone cured depression in 10 out of 16 female patients (62,5%), but was not effective in any of the nine male patients who received it. I suspect men would have similar responses, but testosterone levels should have been normalized.
Treating depression with natural remedies and supplements
When treating depression, it is important that the body is getting what it needs to make three key “happiness neurotransmitters”: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. The B vitamins and magnesium are critical for both energy production and the synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters that contribute to wellness.
Vitamin B12 and folic acid. Taking these vitamins helps the body produce serotonin (the “happiness molecule”) and the powerful nutrient S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), which counteracts depression. A study of the use of high doses of folic acid has shown that this substance is not less effective than antidepressants, but does not have unwanted side effects. Taking folate and vitamin B12 will give your body what it needs to make you happier.
Riboflavin and niacin. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) and niacin (vitamin B3) are key components of the “energy molecules” NADH and FADH, making them important factors in the body’s energy production. If you are depressed, you may be deficient in niacin or riboflavin.
Vitamin B6. Depression can be the result of low vitamin B6 levels, which are essential for the production of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Vitamin B6 deficiency is a particularly significant problem in women who are taking birth control pills or estrogen because both deplete the body’s supply of vitamin B6.
Magnesium. Magnesium deficiency can contribute to depression, as well as fatigue, pain, and an increased risk of myocardial infarction. This mineral is important for over 300 different reactions in the human body.
Hypericum You may have heard of St. John’s wort. In one study, scientists compared the results of treatment of mild to moderate forms of depression with St. John’s wort extract (course lasted from four to twelve weeks), placebo, and standard antidepressants. Overall, St. John’s wort extract was as effective or even more effective than standard antidepressants.
Magnolia. Chinese medicine specialists have long trusted Magnolia Bark to treat depression. Magnolia extract is rich in two phytochemicals – honokiol, which relieves anxiety, and magnolol, which acts as an antidepressant. This antidepressant is non-addictive and non-sedating.
The connection between depression and anger
Psychologically, depression is sometimes interpreted as suppressed or inward anger. And it is sometimes good for your health to allow yourself to be angry. If you feel better after this “outburst”, then releasing your anger has been beneficial in this case. But remember that others are not to blame for the fact that you need to release your emotions, and violence is a completely unacceptable way of expressing yourself.
The safest place to give free rein to emotions, to release anger, is the psychotherapist’s office. If depression persists and does not respond to treatment, see a specialist.
The best cure for depression is to change your attitude towards life
1. Experience all your feelings; they do not have to be understood or justified. If the feelings are negative, just let them go.
2. Make life a no-error system. This means not blaming yourself or others, not regretting mistakes you have made, not judging others, and not expecting something from someone. If you find yourself judging someone, just stop doing it. But don’t judge yourself for judging others!
3. Learn to focus on the good. Some people think that thinking about problems endlessly means being realistic. This is wrong. Life is like a huge buffet with thousands of snacks. You can always choose what you like. If the problem really needs attention, then working on solving it will already give you pleasure. Otherwise, it turns out that you basically put extremely unloved dishes on your plate.
4. Take a look at the bright side of life. Cultivating a positive outlook can improve your health and reduce your risk of depression. Plus, you are more likely to live longer.
A good way to develop the habit of seeing a glass half full rather than half empty is to keep a gratitude list. Each morning, write down five things you appreciate. When you notice a dark streak during the day, remind yourself of this list and feel a surge of optimism.
Health to you!