Depression and Natural Healing
Depression is real and it is experienced by everyone to some degree in their
life. Some people do not admit sadness or guilt and instead they withdraw and
hide from society. They may lose interest in things around them and become
incapable of any pleasure. Things appear bleak and time passes slowly for them.
They are typically angry and irritable and often try sleeping off their
depression or doing little but sitting or lying around. Most people with
depression can still function but do so at a lower capacity or slower pace.
Allah has sent help through the Qur’an as reading the Qur’an and remembering
Allah can alleviate depression with the help of Allah. Also calling on Allah and
reciting the duas of the distressed that the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon
him) sent to help alleviate depression should not be neglected.
Symptoms of depression include chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, sleeping
frequently and for excessive periods of time, loss of appetite or a ravenous
appetite, headaches, backaches, colon disorders, and feelings of worthlessness
and inadequacy.
Depression may be caused by tension, upset stomach, stress, headache,
nutritional deficiencies, poor diet, sugar, mononucleosis, thyroid disorders,
endometriosis, any serious physical disorder, or allergies.
Some people become more depressed in the winter months when days are shorter and
darker. The sun and bright light seem to trigger a response to a brain hormone
known as melatonin which in part is responsible for preventing depression.
Because of this it is recommended to stay in brightly lit rooms on dark days.
For those living in London, this is especially key as most days are gray and
overcast which can contribute to depression. Research reveals that two hours of
morning sun is very effective in lifting depression. The evening light had
comparatively little results.
Depression begins with a disturbance in the part of the brain that governs
moods. The average person may be able to handle every day stresses and their
bodies readjust to these pressures. When the stress becomes too great for a
person and his adjustment mechanism is unresponsive a depression may be
triggered.
Food greatly influence the brains behavior and diet is one of the leading causes
of depression. This comes about from poor eating habits and constant snacking on
junk foods. The brain’s neurotransmitters which help to control our behavor are
controlled by what we eat. The neurotransmitters are dopamine, serotonin, and
norepinephrine. When the brain produces serotonin, tension is alleviated. When
the brain produces dopamine or norepinephrine we tend to act and think more
quickly and are more alert.
Eating carbohydrates alone seems to have a calming effect, while proteins
increase alertness. Protein meals containing essential fatty acids and or
carbohydrates are recommended for increased alertness. Salmon and white fish are
good choices. Avoid foods high in saturated fats, consumption of fried foods
such as hamburgers and French fries as they will lead to sluggishness, slow
thinking, and fatigue.
Complex carbohydrates have a calming effect as they raise the level of
tryptophan in the brain, while protein promotes the production of dopamine and
norepinephrine which promote alertness. A balance is achieved when the diet
contains a combination of these two nutrients. A turkey sandwich on whole wheat
bread is a good combination as the turkey is high in protein and the whole wheat
bread supplies complex carbohydrates. You should eat more carbohydrates than
protein if you are nervous and are trying to relax. If you are tired and trying
to become more alert, you should eat more proteins than carbohydrates.
A depressed person who is looking for an immediate lift would benefit from
eating foods like turkey, salmon, or mackeral, which are high in tryptophan and
protein.
One should be awae of the fact that the body will react more quickly to the
presence of sugar than it does to the presence of complex carbohydrates;
therefore the increase in energy supplied by the simple carbohydrates is quickly
accompanied by fatigue and depression.
Heredity is also a key factor in depression as up to 50 percent of people that
suffer from recurrent episodes of depression had one or both parents who were
depressive.
Nutritional recommendations include the following:
a raw fruit and vegetable diet, with soybeans and their by-products is
important.
Diets too low in complex carbohydrates can cause serotonin depletion and
depression.
Vitamin B Complex is good for normal brain functioning
Calcium and magnesium have a calming effect and is needed for the nervous
system.
L-Tyrosine alleviates stress by boosting productionof adrenaline and raises
dopamine levels which influence moods. Lack of tyrosine results in a
norepinephrine deficiency at a specific brain location, resulting in mood
disorders such as depression.
Lithium arginate or lithium orotate is for manic depressives.
Multivitamin and mineral complex may be helpful as vitamin and mineral
deficiencies are associated with depression.
Vitamin B6 is good for normal brain function
Vitamin C is needed for immune function and aids in preventing depression.
If you are taking MAO inhibitor drugs you should avoid tyrosine as it can raise
blood pressure. Also consume the following foods in moderation: avocados,
cheese, chocolate, herring, meat tenderizer, raisins, sour cream, soy sauce
yeast extracts, and yogurt.
Diet is very important to alleviate stress. Try to stay away from foods that
create stress on the system such as colas, fried foods, junk foods, sugar, white
flour products, and potato chips. Eat a 50 to 75 percent raw foods diet.
Eliminate dairy products for three weeks and then reintroduce slowly and observe
the return of symptoms of your ‘nervous’ condition. A quality diet, exercise and
proper rest are very important. You will be amazed at the results.
Avoid caffeine as it aggravate stress.