Natural Remedies For Depression

Depression is a complex feeling of sadness mixed with emptiness that one may experience after a traumatic incident. There are a whole lot of other factors such as genetics, illness and medications. Note that the list here does not replace professional advice. If you do suffer from depression, please kindly reach out to get help from psychologist. The list here is meant to serve as knowledge on the nutrients that may help in combating depression (natural remedies for depression). It does not replace real medication that may be involved.

Anyways, the post here will prove to be quite useful for house chefs that may need to attend to those who are emotionally weary.

1. Tryptophan

Tryptophan is needed for the construction of serotonin which is a hormone affecting mood. Higher level of serotonin means that one will experience less depression. Turkey is well-known to have the highest tryptophan value. If meat isn’t your thing, then you can opt for soybeans.

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2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

A study shows that intake of omega-3 fatty acids may help alleviate depression. It is well-known that seafood is rich with this nutrient. Seafood lovers will have less worries of lacking this nutrition. An alternate vegetation source of omega-3 fatty acids are flaxseed oil, chia seeds, walnuts, soybeans, and spinach.

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3. Iodine

Iodine is vital for thyroid function. Thyroid produces thyroid hormones that control your body’s metabolism, glucose consumption, and heart rate. Having low thyroid hormones can cause complications such as dry skin, hair loss and including depression.

You can get iodine from foods such as shellfish, eggs, cow’s milk, dried seaweed and baked potatoes.

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4. Selenium

Selenium is needed to make proteins that are responsible to prevent cell damage. Study shows that a lack of selenium is linked to depression. However, the intake of this nutrient needs to be controlled because having too high will also cause depression. Needless to say, having too low of this too will result in poorer mood. Foods with this nutrients include:

• meat such as chicken, eggs, beef, pork, tuna.
•  vegie such as mushroom, sunflower seeds and soybeans.
•  seafood such as shrimp, tuna and crab.

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5. Magnesium

Magnesium is involved in cell transport activities and help the cells to make energy. It is one of the nutrients that is often lacking in most of our diets. Its deficiency could cause depression. Sufficient amount of magnesium in return would protect the brain from depression and anxiety even after brain injury. Source of magnesium includes

• epsom salt baths
• fruits such as bananas, figs, avocados
• dark leafy greens such as spinach
• beans/nuts such as cashew nuts, walnuts, almond, peanuts
• seafood such as tuna
• dark chocolate

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6. Vitamin D

Vitamin D receptors are found in many parts of the brain that are linked to development of depression. Hence, it is said that vitamin D affects the brain one way or another. Vitamin D affects how the brain reacts towards the happy hormone, serotonin. Therefore, it is likely that increasing intake of vitamin D may help to reduce depression. Foods rich in vitamin D are mushroom, egg, shrimp, salmon and cod liver oil.

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7. Zinc

Zinc is one of the most abundant trace minerals in the brain and supports several physiological functions. It is required for healthy function of the central nervous system. Study shows that depressed patients has lower concentration of zinc. Thus, intake of zinc is vital to win against depression. One can find the source of zinc from

• vegies such as spinach, mushroom, chickpea, pumpkin seeds
• meat such as chicken and mutton

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8. Vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12 is one of the nutrients that produce chemicals that alter mood. Deficiency in this vital nutrient is linked to depression. This nutrient is naturally found in meat. Therefore, vegans may find it difficult to get a good natural source of this. Source of vitamin B-12 are eggs, cheese, beef, sardine, mutton and salmon.

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Know someone having depression? Well, refer to this list and make sure that person get a good dose of the foods listed here. Cooking isn’t just about making food tasty, a good chef must also know what to cook and the effect it gives. Hope this list will help!