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

Vitamin C Cheers Up Hospital Patients!

Daily doses of vitamin C appears to quickly boost the mood of "acute-care" hospital patients, according to new research from Canada. This helps to back up lots of other evidence showing a strong link between vitamin C levels and mood, especially in sick people.

A 2002 study in the medical journal Biological Psychiatry showed that taking high doses of vitamin C (aka ascorbic acid) significantly boosted mood and even led to more sex in healthy young adults. Other studies have shown even better improvements in people with chronic health problems.

According to one researcher, Dr. L. John Hoffer:

"About one in five acute-care patients in our hospital have vitamin C levels so low as to be compatible with scurvy... But patients are rarely given vitamin supplements. Most physicians are simply unaware of the problem. Subclinical deficiencies of vitamin C and D have each been linked to psychological abnormalities, so we examined that aspect in our clinical trial."

So if you want to cheer up a sick, hospital-ridden person -- or simply boost your own mood -- try taking a quality vitamin C supplement and eating more vitamin C-rich foods like vegetables and fruits. You may even want to look into intravenous ascorbic acid treatments in cases of acute disease.

Learn some mo': Study: Vitamin C May Boost Mood in Acute Care Patients

5 Minutes of Outdoor Exercise = Better Mental Health, More Self-Esteem

Spending just 5 minutes exercising outdoors every day can quickly and significantly improve your mental health and boost your self esteem, according to new research out of England. "Green" activities like walking, hiking, cycling, horse-riding, or even gardening appear to boost the mood greatly and improve a sense of overall well-being, even when done in small amounts.

According to one researcher:

"We believe that there would be a large potential benefit to individuals, society and to the costs of the health service if all groups of people were to self-medicate more with green exercise."

All natural outdoor environments appear to be beneficial, including city parks. But areas with water have the most positive mental health effects!

Learn some mo': Five minutes in the green can boost self esteem