Zero Zip, Zest and Zeal?
by Margaret Durst
Zip, zest,
and zeal are signs of health. If you feel that you are lacking these
on a regular basis, you may be depressed. Many people do not believe
in depression; however, it is one of the most common health problems
in the United States affecting an estimated 17 million Americans
each year.
Depression
is a whole-body condition that affects the body, nervous system,
moods, thoughts and behavior. It affects the way you eat and sleep,
the way you feel about yourself and the way you react to and think
about the people and things around you.
Symptoms of
depression include chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, changes
in appetite, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, headaches,
backaches, digestive disorders, restlessness, irritability, quickness
to anger, loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies, work or social
life, and feelings of worthlessness or inadequacy.
The brain and
nervous system are run by chemicals known as neurotransmitters.
These regulate our behavior. The neurotransmitters most commonly
associated with mood are dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.
Serotonin eases tension while dopamine and norepinephrine aid in
alertness and quick thinking.
Foods greatly
influence our brain. Poor diet is a common cause of depression.
Foods that impair formation of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine
include wheat (both white flour and whole grain), diet sodas and
other products containing aspartame, foods high in saturated fats,
all forms of sugar, alcohol, caffeine and highly processed foods.
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the rest of the article
August
2, 2010
Copyright
© 2010 Mason County News
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