By Dr Adrian Lopresti We are currently experiencing extraordinary and uncertain times. The ramifications associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19) are changing daily and we are bombarded with constant news and discussions on TV and social media. Even our email inbox is being flooded with regular messages about the coronavirus and steps we should take (I […]
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Inflammation and its effect on how we think There is increasing evidence confirming a relationship between inflammation and depression. That is, higher inflammation (as measured by inflammatory biomarkers) is associated with a lower mood. Even if someone is not currently depressed, having higher levels of C-reactive protein (a blood measure of inflammation) increases the risk […]
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How increasing fibre intake can help treat depression There is an increasing abundance of research confirming an association between diet and mental health conditions such as depression. Overall, the evidence indicates that eating a healthier diet is associated with a reduced prevalence of depression, and there are a few studies showing dietary interventions can improve […]
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The Relationship Between Sugar Consumption and Depression Sugar is ubiquitous in today’s food supply and is found in approximately 75% of all packaged foods [1]. A high intake of sugar is associated with a range of adverse health outcomes including obesity [2], type 2 diabetes [3], and cardiovascular disease [4]. A recent paper published in […]
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Should a gluten-free diet be recommended to people with depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems? Gluten-free diets are becoming increasingly popular as gluten is believed to be associated with the exacerbation of a range of physical and mental symptoms. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where people cannot tolerate gluten. It is often associated […]
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Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) by avoiding glutamate and MSG in the diet Glutamate is the most abundant neurotransmitter in our brain and central nervous system (CNS). It is classified as an excitatory neurotransmitter believed to be important for learning and memory. Neurotransmitters are required for the signalling across cells and an excitatory neurotransmitter is one […]
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Saffron increases heart rate variability Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a measure of the variation in time between each heartbeat. A lower HRV is found in people with medical and psychological conditions including several cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, depression, and bipolar disorder. A higher HRV is believed to be a sign of good health and […]
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An investigation into the effects of a gluten-free diet on psychiatric disorders There is increasing research to suggest dietary allergies and intolerances may contribute to mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia [1]. Common food culprits include gluten, dairy, nightshades (e.g., tomatoes, eggplant, capsicum), nuts, and shellfish. When such foods are […]
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Integrative Treatments for Depression: A Review of the Evidence The most popular treatments for depression include psychological and pharmacological treatments. In terms of psychological therapies, the most commonly-used form is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) while the most popular antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac® (fluoxetine), Zoloft® (sertraline) and Lexapro® (escitalopram). While […]
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4 Nutrients Depleted During Times of High Stress Stress is our body’s response to a threat or demand. Stress can be physical and/or emotional and can last from seconds to sometimes years. When stress occurs for a short period it is referred to as ‘acute stress’ and when it occurs for a longer period it […]
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