The natural brain-healthy properties of a high-nutrient diet, regular exercise, adequate vitamin D and omega-3 stores, and light exposure combine to promote a positive mood, even in the cold, gray days of winter.
The connection between a healthy lifestyle and a healthy mood state is often overlooked; however it is well known that exercise and other natural methods are effective at alleviating depression symptoms. My natural protocol for depression has helped many sufferers of depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) improve their symptoms without the risks and side effects associated with antidepressant medications. Even for those of us who do not suffer a mood disorder, it is common to experience some decline in mood during the winter. Fortunately, there are natural methods that help to alleviate the winter blues.
Exercise
Exercise is known to be as effective as antidepressant drugs or cognitive behavioral therapy for improving the symptoms of depression. Exercise works by increasing the production of serotonin, a mood-elevating neurotransmitter, which is often low in those with depression. The combination of aerobic exercise plus strength training is better than aerobic exercise alone, and yoga has also been shown to improve symptoms.1-4
Light exposure
In the winter, we tend to spend most the day’s sunlit hours indoors, at work or just staying warm at home. Exposure of the retina to morning light helps the brain to properly regulate its production of melatonin and therefore our sleep-wake cycle; inadequate light exposure during the winter can disrupt this cycle. During the winter, if getting natural sunlight isn’t possible, a therapeutic light is an effective substitute; it corrects the body’s clock, restores normal melatonin production, and stimulates production of serotonin.5 SAD has been successfully treated with light therapy for nearly thirty years, and light therapy is also highly effective for depression, comparable to the effects of anti-depressant drugs, so it is effective even for non-seasonal depression.6 Light therapy is an excellent tool for anyone who experiences sadness, fatigue, or disrupted sleep patterns, and especially if you note this associated with winter.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in brain health; DHA is primarily associated with cognitive function, and EPA with mood.7 A recent meta-analysis of 28 trials determined that EPA supplementation is effective for improving depression symptoms.7,8 EPA and DHA are considered long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, in contrast to the shorter ALA found in plant foods, such as flax, hemp, and chia seeds, walnuts and leafy greens. The primary source of EPA is fish, although a small amount ALA from plant foods can be converted to DHA and EPA in the body. Since conversion efficiency is low for many people, in addition to eating ALA-rich foods daily, I recommend a DHA + EPA supplement for everyone, and additional EPA for those with depression.9-11
High-nutrient diet
Two recent studies compared mood scores in subjects eating vegetarian or omnivorous diets. In an observational study, vegetarian Seventh Day Adventists reported more positive mood and lower levels of depression and anxiety compared to omnivore Adventists.12 In a second study by the same research team, subjects were assigned to different diets for two weeks. The subjects in the vegetarian group increased their mood scores after the two weeks, but those on the omnivorous diet did not.13 These results suggest that plant foods contain substances that positively affect mood. One possibility is the high antioxidant content of plant foods; the brain is highly susceptible to oxidative stress, and markers of oxidative stress are indeed associated with a higher incidence of depression.14
In October 2012, another study found a connection between fruit and vegetable consumption and healthy mood. The authors collected data on the diets of 80,000 people, and analyzed scores on a life satisfaction questionnaire relative to the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed daily. Even after adjusting for many other parameters such as employment status, marital status, income, illness, education, and other dietary variables, greater fruit and vegetable consumption was strongly correlated with greater life satisfaction scores.15
In addition to antioxidants, vitamins and minerals may factor into the positive effects of fruits and vegetables on mood. Several B vitamins contribute to the production of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, folate for example.16,17 Folate deficiency is known to increase the risk of depression; about one-third of people with depression are folate-deficient.17-20 Also, a low-sodium, high-potassium diet has been shown to have a positive effect on mood.21 Green vegetables and legumes are rich in folate, and all whole plant foods are naturally rich in potassium and low in sodium.
Vitamin D
Reduced exposure to sunlight during the winter means less natural vitamin D production by the skin. Scientists don’t know exactly how vitamin D works in the brain, but it is thought to affect the production of neurotransmitters, including serotonin.22 Low blood vitamin D levels are associated with SAD and depression, and there is evidence that supplementing with vitamin D helps to maintain a healthy mood state.23, 24 For example, a 4000 IU/day dose of vitamin D for six months starting in the summer improved wellbeing scores in February compared to a lower (600 IU) dose.25 Vitamin D is active in essentially every cell and tissue in the human body, and contributes to many facets of health. It is crucial for everyone to maintain adequate blood vitamin D levels (a 25(OH)D of 35-50 ng/ml) with supplements.
Exercise
Exercise is known to be as effective as antidepressant drugs or cognitive behavioral therapy for improving the symptoms of depression. Exercise works by increasing the production of serotonin, a mood-elevating neurotransmitter, which is often low in those with depression. The combination of aerobic exercise plus strength training is better than aerobic exercise alone, and yoga has also been shown to improve symptoms.1-4
Light exposure
In the winter, we tend to spend most the day’s sunlit hours indoors, at work or just staying warm at home. Exposure of the retina to morning light helps the brain to properly regulate its production of melatonin and therefore our sleep-wake cycle; inadequate light exposure during the winter can disrupt this cycle. During the winter, if getting natural sunlight isn’t possible, a therapeutic light is an effective substitute; it corrects the body’s clock, restores normal melatonin production, and stimulates production of serotonin.5 SAD has been successfully treated with light therapy for nearly thirty years, and light therapy is also highly effective for depression, comparable to the effects of anti-depressant drugs, so it is effective even for non-seasonal depression.6 Light therapy is an excellent tool for anyone who experiences sadness, fatigue, or disrupted sleep patterns, and especially if you note this associated with winter.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in brain health; DHA is primarily associated with cognitive function, and EPA with mood.7 A recent meta-analysis of 28 trials determined that EPA supplementation is effective for improving depression symptoms.7,8 EPA and DHA are considered long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, in contrast to the shorter ALA found in plant foods, such as flax, hemp, and chia seeds, walnuts and leafy greens. The primary source of EPA is fish, although a small amount ALA from plant foods can be converted to DHA and EPA in the body. Since conversion efficiency is low for many people, in addition to eating ALA-rich foods daily, I recommend a DHA + EPA supplement for everyone, and additional EPA for those with depression.9-11
High-nutrient diet
Two recent studies compared mood scores in subjects eating vegetarian or omnivorous diets. In an observational study, vegetarian Seventh Day Adventists reported more positive mood and lower levels of depression and anxiety compared to omnivore Adventists.12 In a second study by the same research team, subjects were assigned to different diets for two weeks. The subjects in the vegetarian group increased their mood scores after the two weeks, but those on the omnivorous diet did not.13 These results suggest that plant foods contain substances that positively affect mood. One possibility is the high antioxidant content of plant foods; the brain is highly susceptible to oxidative stress, and markers of oxidative stress are indeed associated with a higher incidence of depression.14
In October 2012, another study found a connection between fruit and vegetable consumption and healthy mood. The authors collected data on the diets of 80,000 people, and analyzed scores on a life satisfaction questionnaire relative to the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed daily. Even after adjusting for many other parameters such as employment status, marital status, income, illness, education, and other dietary variables, greater fruit and vegetable consumption was strongly correlated with greater life satisfaction scores.15
In addition to antioxidants, vitamins and minerals may factor into the positive effects of fruits and vegetables on mood. Several B vitamins contribute to the production of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, folate for example.16,17 Folate deficiency is known to increase the risk of depression; about one-third of people with depression are folate-deficient.17-20 Also, a low-sodium, high-potassium diet has been shown to have a positive effect on mood.21 Green vegetables and legumes are rich in folate, and all whole plant foods are naturally rich in potassium and low in sodium.
Vitamin D
Reduced exposure to sunlight during the winter means less natural vitamin D production by the skin. Scientists don’t know exactly how vitamin D works in the brain, but it is thought to affect the production of neurotransmitters, including serotonin.22 Low blood vitamin D levels are associated with SAD and depression, and there is evidence that supplementing with vitamin D helps to maintain a healthy mood state.23, 24 For example, a 4000 IU/day dose of vitamin D for six months starting in the summer improved wellbeing scores in February compared to a lower (600 IU) dose.25 Vitamin D is active in essentially every cell and tissue in the human body, and contributes to many facets of health. It is crucial for everyone to maintain adequate blood vitamin D levels (a 25(OH)D of 35-50 ng/ml) with supplements.
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