Foods for Curing Clinical Depression

While extreme forms of depression should be remedied by psychotherapy and perhaps medication, you may be able to alleviate your depression symptoms simply by eating the right foods. Depression can be linked to a diet that is deficient in certain vitamins and minerals. A diet full of caffeine and junk food, for example, is surely lacking the nutrients that help regulate healthy brain functions. To get the most out of what you eat, make sure to include these key components in your diet.

Folate

• Scientific studies have detected low folate levels in severely depressed people. On the other hand, people who have low folate levels commonly experience depression. Additionally, people with low folate levels have been less likely to respond effectively to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants. Make sure you include plenty of folate in your diet by eating lots of foods such as dark leafy greens, beans, lentils, calves' liver and asparagus.

Oily Fish

• Fish oils contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to encourage activity of the brain's feel-good neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Omega-3 fatty acids have not only been linked to reduction of mental health issues like anxiety and depression, but they have also been known to help lower cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular health. Oily fish like salmon or tuna have omega-3 fatty acids in them. Walnuts, flaxseed and chia are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Taking a supplement may also help if you find that you are unable to eat enough sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Whole Grain Oats

• Whole grain oats are also a food that is high in folate. Oats help lower cholesterol, and they do not spike your blood sugar in such a way that will eventually cause you to crash and feel moody. There are also plenty of whole grains, including kamut, spelt and quinoa, which provide plenty of helpful nutrients without causing a crash.

Brewer's Yeast

• Brewer's yeast is full of vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamins B1, B2 and B3, as well as 14 minerals and 16 amino acids. (Amino acids are vital to the nervous system, as they are precursors to the mood-affecting neurotransmitters in your brain.) If your body can digest brewer's yeast well, your mind would benefit from mixing a bit of it into a daily smoothie.

What to Limit

• Sugar and caffeine spike your blood sugar and send it quickly soaring downward. Alcohol is a depressant and also prevents your body from absorbing many brain-helping nutrients. If you limit your intake of sugar, caffeine and alcohol, you will likely see improvements in your mood.