Beat depression with your fork

Overcoming depression is what has kept me eating in optimal diet for 10 years. Long ago I was 70lbs heavier than I am now and dealt with major depression. I had no idea that my food choices and nutritional deficiencies we're contributing to the problem. You see I was eating organic everything, organic bread, cheese, beans, and soy. But after my quarter life crisis and realizing that my depression was getting worse, I saw a functional medicine doctor who said the way you're eating is contributing to your depression. 

You see I was a psychotherapist at the time, and no one had said that nutrition was a contributing factor so I decided to do some research and what I found was insightful . All the foods I was eating were highly inflammatory and contributed to my getting leaky gut which contributes to mental health tremendously. Over 40% of the population has been found to have inadequate intakes of vitamin A comma see, D, and E, calcium, and magnesium and more so among obese individuals (Agarwal, Reider, Brooks, & Fulgoni, 2015). 

Depression can arise from systemic inflammation (eating foods you have a sensitivity too, that are inflammatory or have lectins) as well as mental or perceived stress. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies such as B vitamins (biotin, folic acid, B6, B1, and B12) Vitamin C, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and vitamin D. 

Over the last few months junk food sales of items like pretzels have risen by 47% , popcorn Is up 48% , potato chips are up 30% , and alcohol sales are up 55%! 

All of these foods being devoid of nutrients, as well as disrupting blood sugar, gut function, and contributing to systemic inflammation it's no wonder mental health issues are on the rise. The Federal Emergency hotline for emotional distress had a 1000% increase in April compared to the same time last year. 

It's no longer a matter of the quarantine 15, but how can we contribute to improving our mental health. We will soon see the ramifications of how eating junk food, staying indoors, not exercising, and having little to no contact with other people will have on our society. In the interim let's focus on how we can improve our health an immune system.

Focus on an anti-inflammatory diet full of low lectin veggies, grass fed grass finished beef, pastured or heritage chick in pork, wild caught fish , and healthy fats to cook with. You will boost your nutrient levels, lift your mood , have more supple and youthful skin , and more energy throughout the day. 

Be on the lookout for my list of optimal foods to fill your day with.