Treatment for Depression with Diet

Anti depressant medicines and drugs do relieve depression to an extent but not without leaving behind harmful side- effects and chances of recurrence.



Medicines and drugs are not always able to remove the root cause of depression and therefore lack the ability to prevent it. Liver damage, hypersensitivity, insomnia, hallucinations, a confused state, convulsions and low blood pressure are some of the harmful side effects that an anti depressant can bring along.

Natural Cure for Depression:

Natural care can assure there won’t be any side effects and research has shown that intake of the right type of foods can have a positive effect on the emotional health of the person. How? One may wonder, it is so because a single nutritional deficiency could be the cause of depression.



Dr. Priscilla, Associate Clinical Professor at the University of California, prescribes nutritional therapy to build up brain chemicals such as serotonin and norepinephrine that affect one's moods and are often lacking in depressed people. To combat such deficiency she recommends eating foods rich in vitamin B, such as whole grains, green vegetables, eggs and fish.

Diet for Depression:

Craft a diet plan to include the right food items that carry a nutritional benefit. Apply these simple norms to get maximum benefit from a diet plan:

• Restrict food intake to three meals.
• Have a well balanced diet during all three meals in the following manner:
  o Breakfast: Include fresh fruits with milk and a handful of nuts and seeds;
  o Lunch may consist of steamed vegetables, whole-wheat bread and a glass of buttermilk.
  o Dinner may comprise of green vegetable salad and all available sprouts such as alfalfa seeds, cottage cheese or a glass of buttermilk.
• The right consumption of nutritional foods can prevent the occurrence of depression and it is advisable to keep away from certain foods that may prove a hindrance to your diet plan, which include: tea, coffee, alcohol, chocolate, cola, all white flour products, sugar, food colorings, chemical additives, white rice and strong condiments.
• The depressive mood can be overcome by activity. Exercise thus plays an important role in the treatment of depression. It not only keeps the body physically and mentally fit but also provides recreation and mental relaxation. It also gives a feeling of accomplishment and thus reduces the sense of helplessness.
• The patient must also learn the art of scientific relaxation and meditation, which will go a long way in curing depression.
  
  
  

TREATMENT CHART FOR DEPRESSION

Diet

Here is a diet plan that can be referred to in simple and easy steps. This diet includes all nutritional food items to benefit the mind and body and keep depression at bay:

Step 1:

Fast on juices for three days to purify the system and flush away all impurities. Take a glass of fruit or vegetable juice every two hours, diluted with water during the day and include in the routine the cleansing of the bowels with warm water enema.

Step 2:

All fruit diet for three further days.



Take fresh juicy fruits at five hourly intervals during this period.

Step 3:

Thereafter, progress to a well balanced diet in the following manner:-

• Start the day with 25 black raisins soaked overnight in water along with water in which they are soaked and the water kept overnight in a copper vessel.
• Breakfast may comprise of fresh fruit, a glass of milk and a handful of raw nuts followed by lunch which must include a bowl of freshly prepared steamed vegetables, two or three whole wheat wheat tortilla and a glass of buttermilk.
• At noon one may consider having a glass of vegetable or fruit juice or sugarcane juice.
• Dinner must comprise of a large bowl of fresh green vegetable salad and bean sprouts.
  

Step 4:

It is advisable to avoid meat, sugar, white flour, tea, coffee, condiments, pickles refined and processed foods, fried foods and products made from sugar and white flour.

Other Preventive Measures include:

• Drinking eight to ten glasses of water daily to flush away toxins from the system.
• Have a cool water bath twice daily.
• Apply a wet abdomen pack once daily.
• Indulge in exercises and yogic asanas.
• Take brisk walks for 45 minutes daily, morning and evening.
• Cultivate an occupying hobby and spend time on it to avoid idleness of the mind.
• Join a club or hobby group to learn new things.
• Meditate every morning to keep mind and body calm.
• Always give the body adequate rest and sleep.