With everything happening in the world, it’s easy to find yourself feeling downright down. As your Wilmington holistic and biological dentist, we understand the range of emotions we all go through and how trying it can be. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that about 9% of adult Americans report having feelings of hopelessness, despair, and guilt leading to an end diagnosis of depression. The CDC also says significant depression is the leading cause of disability for Americans between 15 and 44, with women being much more likely than men to be affected.
Let’s go together and dig a little deeper into this crucial issue.
What are Common Causes of Depression?
Depression is difficult because it’s so different from person to person. It’s truly a personal experience for us all. However, other factors can contribute to you feeling blue that include:
- Medications – Unfortunately, some medicines (corticosteroids, antivirals, and even acne treatments) prescribed to help combat certain illnesses can cause you to feel depressed.
- Major Life Events – Change is hard, no matter what age or gender you are. Things like moving, divorce, death, job loss, retirement, income fluctuations, personal struggles, and other stressful situations can cause depression.
- Illness – When facing a severe illness, a person is likely to get depressed.
- Substance Abuse – The CDC estimates that nearly 30% of people with substance abuse problems are generally clinically depressed.
- Genetics – Unfortunately, some people have no control over their depressive symptoms, unfortunately, thanks to the power of genetics. This is why it’s so important to share your family history with all of your medical providers to get the personalized care you deserve. Doctors and scientists agree that depression is a highly complex genetic trait caused by various affected genes, not just one specific gene. Unfortunately, how depression is passed on from parents to their children is not very straightforward.
Good Mood Foods
What you eat can actually play a major role in your oral and overall health while also beating the beast, also known as depression. Who knew that eating could make you feel better? It’s just about what you’re putting in your body that matters most. (Getting regular exercise and seeing your biological and holistic dentist in Wilmington for regular checkups is also essential.)
Here are a few good mood foods you’ll want to chew on to help fight depression:
- Foods with high tryptophan content: Tryptophan is a very important amino acid. It helps your brain to produce serotonin – a feel-good chemical. It can make its way to your brain, and when tryptophan mixes with vitamin B6, serotonin is produced. Where you can find it: Turkey and other poultry, fish, dairy products, bananas, and potatoes.
- Foods rich with omega-3s: Omega-3s are fatty acids with a serotonin connection. Besides helping with depression, they can also lower your cholesterol and blood pressure while also fighting inflammation. Where you can find it: Salmon, sardines, walnuts, canola oil, eggs, peanut butter, and flaxseed.
- Foods with B vitamins: Vitamins B6, B12, and folate are extremely important to how your body produces serotonin. When these levels are low, you run the risk of higher depression. Where you can find it: Vitamin B6 is commonly found in fish, beef, liver, carrots, and sunflower seeds. You can get vitamin B12 from various dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, milk, fish, oysters, and pork. Soybeans, avocado, orange juice, pasta, bread, and crackers are good sources of folate.
At our holistic dental office in Wilmington, we’re not just concerned with your teeth — we care about your total health too. You are coming to us for an enlightened dental experience where you can feel comfortable and cared for. Please call us or message us online to schedule a consultation. We can’t wait to meet you!
Dr. Lewis Yu, who graduated with a dental degree, completed a two-year postgraduate oral surgery training in New York City and Pennsylvania. Board-certified in Naturopathic Medicine and Integrated Biological Dental Medicine, he practiced in Philadelphia and New Jersey before joining All About Smiles. Dr. Yu is affiliated with the Holistic Dental Association and Talkinternational.com.
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