How A Healthy Diet Could Help Fight Depression, According To Dietitians

Could Eating Habits Really Help Depression?

One in 10 people will suffer from depression during their lifetime, according to the NHS.

Additionally, this year alone, a quarter of the population will experience a mental health problem.

We need to talk about it more, right?

There are many triggers of depression and there are also varying severities of the illness - from mild to severe depression.

The treatment types, which range from exercise, to therapy, to antidepressants are often effective; but there's also one potential game changer that people don't necessarily consider when assessing how to feel better - food.

But can a change in diet really help depression?

According to the Mental Health Foundation, "some studies have suggested a link between what you eat and depression."

"There is some evidence that foods that are rich in some essential fatty acids found in oily fish, like mackerel, salmon, herring, sardines, kippers and fresh tuna can help to relieve depression.

"Whether there is a direct link or not, eating healthily will help you generally feel better and give you more energy, especially if you are also exercising."

To summarise: a better diet might help, but it's not the only way to stem the illness.

Carolyn Dean from the Nutritional Magnesium Association comments: "When researchers came up with the term, 'brain chemical imbalance' to explain depression, the next step should have been to supply the brain with nutrients.

"However, chemicals are prescribed instead."

Similarly, dietitians from The Association of UK Dietitians (BDA) also mention that "good nutrition is important for our mental and physical health."

Here are eight dietary changes that BDA suggest to boost mood and get mental health back on track...

Eat Regular Meals

Depression and Diet

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