Reading Time: 4 minutes 5 Nutritional Deficiencies That May Cause Depression
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This is a collaborative post by Brandy Tanner with information about nutritional deficiencies that may cause depression. You will learn about what diet deficiencies cause depression. Then, you can figure out a good diet plan to decrease depression symptoms.
Can Nutritional Deficiencies Cause Depression?
While we may not realize or accept it, the food we eat on a daily basis can make or break our mental health. There are many nutritional deficiencies that have been linked to the possibility of causing depression. I am not a doctor. Therefore, this information is provided as a resource to review before talking to your doctor about your feelings of depression. Please use this list as a resource for nutritional deficiencies that may cause depression. Then use this to start a dialogue between you and your doctor in order to discover a solution to your depression.
5 Nutritional Deficiencies That May Cause Depression
Can a Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Depression?
This is a nutritional deficiency that many people suffer from when they live in places with a lack of sunlight. Since our bodies get Vitamin D naturally from sunlight, those areas in the world that have months without adequate sunshine can experience a deficiency in this area. Vitamin D helps facilitate cell growth as well as helps with the proper absorption of phosphorus into your bloodstream. These processes help boost mental health.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Depression
When you suffer from a lack in Omega-3 or Omega-6 Fatty Acids you may find that you feel irritable, moody and just plain right miserable. That’s because these fatty acids actually help balance mental health by fueling your brain by helping it create high-quality nerve cells that ultimately protect your mental health with a little positive boost. Basically, these good fat options can enhance your mood and build up your immunity by serving you with some natural antibiotics.
Depression and Magnesium
Magnesium deficiency has been linked to stress, anxiety, and depression. This nutritional requirement actually helps you with relaxation. When you’re suffering from lack of magnesium your mind has a lower chance to experience relaxation. This can then turn you into an anxious, possibly depressed and stressed out person. A magnesium deficiency occurs in people who eat too many processed foods, salt, or alcohol.
Vitamin B Deficiency and Depression
This vitamin helps convert food into energy thus creating less of a chance to have depression. If you’re suffering from a nutritional deficiency in Vitamin B then you’re more likely to experience anxiety, phobias, depression and other mood disorders. Vitamin B plays a key role in immune function, blood circulation, hormonal health, and mood.
Relationship Between Iron Deficiency and Depression
This is the most common nutritional deficiency in the entire world, especially for young women who experience heavy menstrual cycles. Those who are breastfeeding, picky eaters and Vegan or vegetarian can also suffer from an iron deficiency. This will make you feel extremely tired. Then this can easily bring on the feelings of depression as your brain isn’t getting the iron it needs to function properly.
There you have it, 5 nutritional deficiencies that may cause depression. If you or a loved one may be experiencing these nutritional deficiencies then I highly recommend you contact a doctor. A professional can help you figure out a good diet plan to get you back on track and headed out of depression.
Rachel is an Austin blogger, educator, mom, wife, young breast cancer survivor writing about health, saving money, and living a happy life in Austin, Texas.
Rachel has written for HuffPost and Hometalk and has been featured on KXAN, Studio 512, Fox 7 Austin, and CBS Austin.