November 4th, 2009 by admin

PEOPLE who eat more foods higher risk of depression than those who favor whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, and fresh fish.

Easy, fast, and very practical. That is one feature of human life today. It also brings changes in the patterns and consequences of the foods consumed, who ironically even worse. Look at those who live in big cities, are now so familiar with fast food or processed foods, categorized junk food (junk food). If he did not eat in restaurants, various processed food and ready meal ready to cook is also widely available in supermarkets.

Practical food is packaged in such a beautiful, whether in the form of cans, bottles, or plastic and paper package. For those who are busy, fast food often become part of daily consumption patterns, either individual or family. Changes in food consumption patterns of “intact” to fast foods are invited concern in many countries, particularly the increasing concern that a number of disease caused lifestyle such as obesity and diabetes. “Pattern of eating settings people today tend to be more unhealthy,” said the chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation in the UK, Dr Andrew McCulloch.

A recent study done by British researchers also proved that the diet (eating arrangements) to eat lots of vegetables, fruits, and fresh fish can prevent the occurrence of depression. Conversely, a high diet of processed foods and fatty foods can actually increase the risk of depression.

Conclusions were based study conducted researchers from University College London of nearly 3500 participants average age 55 years, who are all employees in the UK. Researchers divided the participants into two groups based on the type of food consumed. The first group are those who eat fruits, vegetables, and fish. The second group ate processed or fatty foods such as fried foods, processed meats, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products and various sweet desserts. Researchers then identify signs of depression in both groups was five years later.

After taking into account factors sex, age, education, physical activity, smoking, and chronic disease, researchers found significant differences related to risk of depression in the future between the two groups earlier.

Apparently, participants who ate food “intact” and fresh-risk 26 percent lower depression in the future. Conversely, people with eating processed foods high-risk 58 percent higher for depression.
Processed food in this case include both the prepared processed food for human consumption and food processing intermediate, which is used later as raw food. Meanwhile, no processed food or food “intact” is a food or beverage can direct human consumption without being processed first.

One member of the research team, Dr Archana Singh-Manoux, argued, this study opens new insights about the relationship of diet and mental health. According to him, lifestyle factors that are not controlled in people who frequently eat processed foods may contribute to depression trigger events. Researchers also suspect it is related to inflammation in the body condition of the heart sepertipenyakit.

The reason why some foods can prevent or otherwise increase the risk of depression is still unclear. However, in a report published studies “British Journal of Psychiatri” edition Monday (2 / 11), researchers presented a number of possible causes of these findings. First, high levels of antioxidants in fruits and vegetables may have a protective effect. This is evident from previous studies that found a link between high levels of antioxidants and decreased risk of depression. Second, often eat fresh fish can help ward off depression, because these marine animals contain unsaturated fatty acid compound (polyunsaturated fatty acids / PUFAs) such as omega-3 that can stimulate the brain.

Third are those who eat foods “whole” which means the nutrients that vary in the body also varies. The combination of nutrients is believed to have a deterrent power against depression better than the effects of only one type of nutrients (nutrients only). “Our research concluded that the healthy diet can bring the benefits of healthy and prosperous, and that the choice of eating a good setting to prevent interference potential depression.”

“Physical and mental health are intimately associated. We expect that further study may clarify the link between food regulation and mental health,” commented Margaret Edwards, of Sane mental health organizations in the UK.