Most people who suffer from depression turn to food to help them cope or make them feel better. Unfortunately, some foods can have the opposite effect.
Junk food for example, contains large amounts of refined sugars, saturated fat, heavily processed ingredients or caffeine, which can make depression feel much worse!
Mounting evidence shows that depression and even schizophrenia can sometimes be caused by dietary deficiencies or food allergies. An Italian study revealed that almost all of the 331 depressed people taking part in the test had extremely low levels of cholesterol in their body.
Evidence shows that very low-fat diets can cause depression
And insufficient levels of B vitamins, high intakes of sugar and caffeine, and gluten or milk allergies have all been shown to cause or aggravate mental illness too. Your doctor may not tell you that other common triggers for depression include some prescription drugs such as antihistamines, antibiotics, drugs for high blood pressure, nasal decongestants and heart drugs.
Warning: the last thing you want to deal with when you’re suffering from depression is an episode of ill health. But that’s exactly what you can experience with many common depression drugs.
Tricyclic antidepressants can cause delirium, fatigue, excessive sweating, dangerously low blood pressure, and even strokes and heart attacks. Prozac has brought on vomiting, diarrhoea, anxiety, insomnia, sexual problems, muscle, bone, ear and eye pain and even suicide in some people. But, there are many herbs that can ease depression without the side effects that come with antidepressants.
Three herbs that can help treat depression
1. Passionflower
This is one of the best herbs for anxiety, stress and insomnia. So, if you suffer from severe anxiety or often find yourself feeling stressed unnecessarily, give passionflower a try.
2. Lavender
Lavender is an anti-anxiety warrior of note. You can have it in your tea, bath or skincare routine. The best way to use it is to add organic lavender essential oil boil a pot of water and inhale deeply.
3. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha has the power to naturally lower the stress hormone, cortisol, providing relief similar to that of lorazepam.
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