Study: Caffeine May Be a Natural Anti-Depressant

by: Javier Benek

Not only might coffee help you live a lot longer, it might also help you avoid depression and even keep you from killing yourself! A team from the Harvard School of Public Health found that people who drink 2 to 4 cups of caffeinated coffee every day have significantly lower suicide risk than those who avoid or drink very little of the popular beverage.

Many experts believe it's the caffeine that's providing the natural anti-depressant benefit and that almost any source of the stimulant could provide similar results. 2 - 4 cups of coffee is equal to around 400 mg of caffeine. Interestingly, drinking more than 4 cups of coffee per day doesn't appear to lower suicide risks.

Caffeine's powerful effects on human brain neurochemistry are well known. It acts as a "mimic" of an important tiredness-regulating chemical called adenosine and strongly affects levels of the neuro-stimulating chemicals dopamine and glutamate. The overall effect is a big boost in mental energy/stimulation and, it appears, a lessening of depression.

The findings aren't conclusive but at least it gives us another reason to spend all that money on Starbucks!

Learn some mo': Will A Few Cups Of Coffee A Day Keep The Blues Away?

Eat Junk Food and You Might Become Depressed

Eating lots of fast food or junk food might make you depressed, according to new research from Spain. Researchers followed nearly 9000 people for several years and found that those who regularly consumed fast food and sweets were 51 percent more likely to develop depression than those who ate little or no junk food.

They also found that the more someone ate fast food the more likely he or she would become clinically depressed. Even people who only consumed small amounts of fast food or commercially baked sweets like doughnuts were more likely to suffer from the disease. That's pretty scary stuff in our opinion!

It's not a secret that diet and mental state are connected but this is one of the first studies to show a strong connection between eating junk food and "feeling down." It's possible that feeling depressed could cause someone to eat more high-sugar, high-fat junk foods and low-quality carbs. But it's also very possible that eating lots of processed sugars, artificial flavorings, food chemicals, and "bad" fats (like trans fatty acids) negatively affects mood and mental health in a significant way over time.

Researchers also found that smokers and people who worked more than 45 hours per week were much more likely to eat junk foods and suffer from depression. So the bottom line is, don't eat fast food or sweets, don't smoke, don't work too much, and follow a healthy lifestyle... and you probably won't become depressed! (duh)

Learn some mo': Sweets and Fast Food Linked to Depression

Natural Antidepressant: Vitamin D?

Vitamin D may be one of the best natural antidepressants, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that people with low levels of the "sunshine" vitamin were much more likely to experience symptoms of depression compared to those with high levels. Experts say it backs up past research showing that vitamin D is an ultra-important brain booster.

It's not clear how or why exactly vitamin D has such a strong effect on mood. Scientists do know however that the human brain is full of special vitamin D receptors, so it's obviously an important nutrient for brain and mental health. The Institute of Medicine has recently raised its recommendations for vitamin D to 600 IUs for people under 70 and 800 for people over.

According to Dr. E. Sherwood Brown, a top researcher in the Texas study:

“[These findings] add depression to the spectrum of medical illnesses associated with low vitamin D, and people with depression probably should consider a blood test to see if their vitamin D is low and whether supplements may be needed."

But he warns that vitamin D may not be a "cure" for depression. It certainly can't hurt to make sure your "D" levels are high enough!

Learn some mo': Low Levels of Vitamin D May Be Linked to Depression

US Stocks Fall 1000 Points, Then Come Back

The United States stock market fell nearly 1000 points in less than 30 minutes today, marking one of the most turbulent moments and days in its history. Fortunately it quickly rebounded and recovered about two-thirds of its losses, ending with a loss of "only" 347 at the closing bell.

The crazy drop was partially caused by fears that Greece's financial crisis will hurt all of Europe's economy, as well as that of the US. But it may have been due more to a freak accident involving a trader who mistakenly tried to sell 16 billion futures instead of 16 million, which in turn set of all kinds of automatic computer sell orders.

This was the biggest drop EVER in a single trading day for the US Dow. It's becoming more and more obvious that the economic problems affecting the US and the entire world are far from being resolved...

Learn some mo': Dow pulls back after dizzying 30-minute plunge

Green Tea Perks Up the Elderly

Elderly people who drink several cups of green tea every day feel better and have less feelings of depression, according to new research from Japan. Researchers found that when men and women over 70 drank four or more cups of green tea per day they were 44% less likely to experience symptoms of depression. Other research has shown that regular green tea consumption often leads to lower levels of psychological "distress" so this new study is yet more evidence showing that green tea is truly a powerful health and mood-boosting tool.

Overall, 488 participants said they drank four or more cups of green tea a day, 284 said they downed two to three cups daily and the remaining 286 reported having one or fewer cups daily. Unfortunately, black tea, oolong tea, and coffee don't show the same positive effects on depression. Some experts believe that the high levels of the amino acid theanine -- a substance that has a tranquilizing effect on the mind and body -- found in green tea may be the primary reason for it's action.

Bottom line: Drink more tea. You'll be healthier, feel better, and be less likely to suffer from depression!

Learn some mo': Feeling Old and Blue? Green Tea May Help

Tags: Green Tea, Depression, Anti-Aging