Can diet beat depression?
Dysthymia is a chronic form of depression that has received insufficient attention over the years. Even though it is ‘milder’ than major depression, it may produce as much, or more, distress. A number of effective drugs can reduce the symptoms of your husband’s depression, but dietary strategies – which will have a milder effect – can be useful when used alongside medication. Research shows that people who eat diets high in omega-3 fatty acids from fish have a lower incidence of depression, so I’d suggest he eats at least two oily fish meals a week – such as herrings, mackerel, sardines or salmon. It may also be helpful to reduce the sugary foods in his diet as they can produce swings in blood glucose which could conceivably have a knock on effect on mood. The best carbohydrates for him to eat are those that are digested slowly and produce a gentle lift in blood sugar. These are essentially the unprocessed ones including whole grains, pulses, fruits and oats. Consumption of caffeine (m
