Dr Oz: Your Diet Can Affect Your Mood, Five Diets That Help Combat Depression

There are several reasons behind a person's depression. It could be some situations like death of a dear one, social isolation or major events that occurred in your life that were different from what you expected them to be. There are also internal reasons such as illness, excessive weight gain and other personal reasons that caused depression. According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disease burden amongst high income countries.

While the reasons for feeling blue may be varied, Dr. Mehmet Oz provided some simple ways to boost one's happiness level. In the Dr. Oz Show, he listed five ways to heighten happiness and also explained that among other things and that one's diet can also affects mood and emotions.

A study published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity found that those who consumed soft drinks, fatty red meat or refined grains like pasta, white bread, crackers, or chips daily were 29 to 41% more likely to be diagnosed or treated for depression. In cases like this, the most natural way of getting rid of depression, is to change your diet and include happiness boosting foods in your diet.

Dr. Oz mentioned five such foods that he said was observed support to brain chemistry to reduce depression. It also improves sleep quality that is also a major contributor to depression. The foods he mentioned are as follows:

Salmon

Surveys conducted found that the more fish the people of a country consume, the lesser is their recorded incidence of depression. Dr. Oz explained that the brain is 60 per cent fat and omega-3 fatty acids enhance the mood but unlike some other substances, they cannot be manufactured within the body. Hence they have to be consumed. Omega-3 Fatty acids can be found in salmon, sardines, mackerel, pilchards, herring, trout and fresh tuna.

Hemp seeds

It is well known that weight gain causes depression as it may lead to social isolation and bad self image. Hemp seeds are a natural appetite suppressant, this will reduce the urge to eat and help in weight loss. In turn it would reduce anxiety and depression.

Amaranth

According to the Brain Bio Centre, low sugar levels causes depression, the sugar levels in the body must be balanced for a balanced state of mind. Amaranth has a lot of antioxidants, minerals, fiber and iron that helps maintain the sugar level, resulting in a happier mood and more energy.

Chamomile tea

According to a study, the Chamomile tea is an antidepressant and helps reduce stress, a fact that Dr. Oz also pointed to.

Apart from the diet he also provided five easy ways to boost confidence and happiness. "Do not compare yourself with others, don't badmouth others, be grateful for all your blessing, learn to say no and apologize when you're wrong", he said.

Happiness spreads, when you are happy you are going to make several others happy. So always try to stay happy.