We all know that healthy foods can protect us from serious ailments like cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 Diabetes, blood-pressure related diseases, etc. But, recent findings have proved that appropriate foods can help in fighting teen depression also.
How Food May Affect The Mood Of A Person
It is Serotonin, a chemical secreted in the brain, that can enhance the mood of a person. Certain foods may obstruct secretion of this chemical in some of the teens. If teens take these foods on a continuous basis, secretion of this chemical may come down drastically and so, chances of affliction by teen depression in these young people increase. So, psychologists advise that parents should make suitable changes in the diet habits of young people who have been affected by depression so that they can get relief from this problem. Psychologists do not categorically assert that good foods that contain all the essential nutrients may be good for treating teen depression but, they firmly say that lack of nutrition may catalyze this affliction.
Fiber Foods
Experts do not advise perfect foods but, they insist that teens should get enough of fiber. This means that if teens eat fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, lean red-meat, wholesome grains, fish, etc., they can get a good amount of fiber and other nutrients.
Dairy Products
As far as dairy products are concerned, teens should opt for low-fat dairy products and shun high-fat ones. The reason for suggesting that they should avoid bad fats is that these may lead to overweight. Weight gains may rob teens of their self-confidence and it may also cause depression in them. They can take legumes, nuts, etc. also for getting sufficient nutrients without getting overweight.
Omega-3 Fatty-Acids
Omega 3 Fatty-Acids can be very good for improving brain health in people and more so, in teens. A number of teens who have been affected by teen depression have been tested and it has been found that they have low levels of Omega 3 Fatty-acids in their brains. So, brain cells do not grow to the required extent. The cells lose their ability for communicating among themselves. So, teens must get enough of these fatty acids,
Further, if Omega 3 and Omega 6 are not present in the teens’ brains in balanced amounts, they may be affected by problems related to inflammation. So, teens should consume fish varieties like Salmon, Sardine, etc. for getting Omega 3 and grain-fed beef for Omega 6. Even high-quality eggs can supply a good amount of Omega-3 Fatty-acids. It has been proved that inflammation may cause depression in people. So, to avoid teen depression, these young people should necessarily have these nutrients.
Flax Seeds And Flax Oils
It has been proved that flax seeds and flax oils can increase secretion of Serotonin in the brain. When the mood of the teens is enhanced due to Serotonin, they may not be affected by depression.
Bananas
Bananas supply good carbohydrates and Tryptophan that can trigger secretion of Serotonin in the human brain. So, teens will have an enhanced mood if they eat bananas.
If parents make sure that these young people eat all these foods regularly, they can help them fight teen depression.