If you go to your doctor complaining of depression, the chances are slim that he or she will ask you what you’re eating.
Instead, you’ll likely get a prescription for the first-line mainstream treatment…an antidepressant drug.
These medications are often ineffective. And they can cause life-altering side effects such as erectile dysfunction and weight gain. What’s more, antidepressants are notoriously difficult to quit once you start taking them.[1]
New research shows there’s a safer, natural way to treat depression.
The study was published in the journal PLOS One. It looked at 76 people who suffered from depression. They randomly placed them into two groups. One stuck to their regular eating habits. The others switched to a Mediterranean diet.[2]
The Mediterranean diet is heavy on fish, vegetables, fruits, olive oil, seeds, and nuts. It’s low in sugar and refined carbohydrates.
The participants’ levels of depression, anxiety, and confidence were measured before the start of the trial, and again afterward.
After three weeks, the Mediterranean dieters felt much better. Their depression dropped from moderate severity to the normal range.
The other group did not improve.
The Mediterranean group also scored lower for anxiety and stress compared to the other subjects.
Professor Heather M. Francis was the lead author. She said that the Mediterranean diet can lead to “significant improvement” for depression patients
The Mediterranean Diet…With Something Extra
If you’re going to try a Mediterranean diet, research shows that a particular kind is best. It features additional daily servings of dairy.[3]
A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at how people on this diet compare to those on low-fat versions of the Mediterranean diets. Researchers found that people on the dairy-added Mediterranean diet had greater improvements in cholesterol readings, heart rate, blood pressure, mood, and cognitive function.
The Mediterranean diet with extra dairy is based on the meals commonly eaten in countries such as Greece and Italy. It’s simple to follow…
Eat these foods often:
- Fish, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, extra virgin olive oil, herbs, and fruits. Have two to three servings of yogurt, cheese, or milk every day.
Eat these occasionally:
- Eggs, poultry, and red meat.
Avoid these foods:
- Anything with added sugar.
- Processed meats such as hot dogs and cold cuts.
- White bread.
- Most vegetable oils other than extra virgin olive oil, such as canola oil, cottonseed oil, and soybean oil.
The Mediterranean diet is a natural way to improve your mood without dangerous medications.
Editor’s Note: There’s a town in Italy where a huge percentage of the population lives to 100. And despite their advanced age, the residents still are able to work, have fun, and even have satisfying sex lives.
Scientists recently did a detailed study to discover the town’s secret. Yes, the Mediterranean diet is one of them. But the residents did something else that gave them extraordinary longevity and vigor.
Find out what it is by reading Independent Healing…your best source for science-based health advice.
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[1]https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322376.php
[2]https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0222768
[3]https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/108/6/1166/5142520?redirectedFrom=fulltext