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Essay / Nutritional Influences of Carbohydrates and Proteins on Depressive Symptoms
The literal meaning of the word "depression" has its origin in the Latin "depressio" which means "to press down" and according to the Oxford Dictionary, it is comes from “feelings of severe discouragement and dejection. ” or “a mental state characterized by feelings of severe discouragement and despondency, usually accompanied by feelings of incapacity and guilt, often accompanied by lack of energy and disturbances in appetite and sleep.” Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay Depression affects 350 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of disability and the fourth leading cause of disease burden worldwide. However, the effectiveness of conventional treatments for depression is questioned: meta-analyses of drug treatments demonstrate minimal difference compared to placebo, comparisons between real and simulated electroconvulsive therapy show little difference after one month, and the evidence for the use of specific cognitive interventions is weak. . Therefore, evidence for alternative approaches to depression management was reviewed. Depression is undoubtedly an extremely complex and heterogeneous condition. This is reflected in the non-universal results obtained with cognitive behavioral medications and antidepressants. As research continues to intensify, it is becoming clear that neurobiology/physiology, genetics, life stressors, and environmental factors may all contribute to vulnerability to depression. Although much attention has been paid to genetics and life stressors, only a small group of international researchers have focused on nutritional influences on depressive symptoms. Collectively, the results of this relatively small body of research indicate that nutritional influences on MDD are currently underestimated. Carbohydrates and proteins represent an exciting area of research and are emerging as a potential new agent in the treatment of depression. Carbohydrates and Depression Carbohydrates are naturally occurring polysaccharides and play an important role in the structure and function of an organism. In higher organisms, they have been shown to affect mood and behavior. Eating a meal high in carbohydrates triggers the release of insulin in the body. Insulin helps let blood sugar into cells where it can be used as an energy source and simultaneously triggers the entry of tryptophan into the brain. Tryptophan in the brain affects neurotransmitter levels. Eating low-carb diets tends to precipitate depression, since the production of brain chemicals serotonin and tryptophan, which promote feelings of well-being, is triggered by high-carb foods. It is suggested that foods with a low glycemic index (GI), such as certain fruits and vegetables, whole grains, pastas, etc., are more likely to have a moderate but lasting effect on brain chemistry, mood and energy level than high GI foods. mainly sweets - which tend to provide immediate but temporary relief. On the other hand, a diet high in carbohydrates and refined sugars is a common contributor to depressive illness. Protein and Depression Proteins are made up of amino acids and are important building blocks of life. Up to 12 amino acids are made in the body itself and the 8.