Depression and Diet

Stress, Junk Food and the Loss of Neurotransmitters

Aug 13, 2007

Many people eat when they are depressed. What they may not realize is that the food could be the chemical cause of the depression.

Everyone gets depressed from time to time. This isn’t clinical—it’s just life. But if the depression doesn’t go away after a few weeks, then clinical depression may be diagnosed and professional help should be sought.

The treatment for clinical depression will involve manipulating the levels of brain hormones which produce pleasure and satisfaction, or reduce stress. If the diet of the patient consists of junk foods, this may be a losing battle since junk foods can have a major influence on the same hormones. It appears that a combination of pharmaceuticals and diet changes are necessary to help the patient return to a mental functioning that is normal for them. Seeking professional help is even more critical when dealing with the more dangerous forms of depression that sometimes lead to self-injury or violence.

The influence of Diet

Foods greatly influence the brain's behavior. A poor diet, especially one with excessive junk foods, is a common cause of depression. What we eat controls the levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which regulate our behavior--and neurotransmitters are closely linked to mood.

The neurotransmitters most commonly associated with mood are dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. When the brain produces serotonin, tension is eased. When it produces dopamine or norepinephrine, we are more alert and tend to think and act more quickly. Consuming fruits and vegetables (complex carbohydrates) raises the level of trytophan in the brain thereby increasing serotonin production which has a calming effect. High protein foods, on the other hand, promote the production of dopamine and norepineprine, which promote alertness.

On the other hand, eating junk food reduces the levels of these hormones in our brain--increasing our stress and tension, and reducing our joy and alertness.

Dopamine

It appears that eating junk food reduces the body’s natural ability to feel pleasure by interfering with dopamine receptors. Scientists at the Brookhaven National Laboratory have found that obese adults had fewer dopamine receptors than healthy individuals. These individuals are able to feel pleasure when eating but unable to feel pleasure in other ways leading to a combination of depression and increasing obesity.

Norepinephrine

Norepinephrine is a hormone that helps with stress. It appears that the mechanism by which junk food interferes with norepinephrine is not well understood. The interference may be similar to the corruption of dopamine receptors. Whatever the mechanism is, it is further complicated by the increase in salt in most junk foods.

Serotonin

A study by Dr. Hibbiln at the National Institutes of Health found that the unhealthy oils in junk food are causing severe disruptions in serotonin levels, producing depression, anger, violence and suicidal behaviors. These problems can even by transmitted by a mother to her developing fetus. When children and youth eat junk food, the brain may be permanently altered. Comparing the increase in murder rates to the increased rate of unhealthy oils in the diets of 38 industrialized countries, we find a perfect match.

So what do I eat?

Generally eat a Mediterranean Diet and avoid fast food restaurants and processed foods. At the supermarket, avoid the cans and boxes in the aisles and buy fresh foods around the edges of the store—the crisp vegetables and fruits, and the fresh organic meats.

Summary

The unhealthy oils in junk food can have a long-lasting effect on the brain’s ability to experience pleasure. This produces an addiction whereby food becomes the only way to feel pleasure. The alteration in the brain, especially in children, can be permanent. Parents must train their children to avoid junk food. Mothers must start while the child is in the womb--through her own diet.

Resources

Wang G. & Volkow N., “Scientist Find Link Between Dopamine and Obesity,” Brookhaven National Laboratory, downloaded from www.bnl.gov, 24 Sep 07.

Hibbeln JR (2001): “Seafood consumption and homicide mortality.” World Rev Nutr Diet 85:41– 46.

The copyright of the article Depression and Diet in Natural Medicine is owned by Ronald K. Frazer. Permission to republish Depression and Diet in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.