depression

[nisha]

I have a question about depression. I wonder how the macrobiotic philosophy views depression and how diet plays a role in a persons overall mental well-being. I believe, whole heartedly, that a whole foods, organic, macrobiotic diet can help someone overcome depression but I don't really understand why (or at least not enough to be convincing).
Thanks in advance, very very much.
Nisha

[Elizabeth Sunderland]

Hi Nisha,

There are several ways in which one can look at the causes of depression. The first are by yin and yang. Depression, which is governed by the lungs and large intestine (metal energy), can be caused by one's condition being overy yin (sad, weepy, lethargic) or so yang (or full) and nothing moves and the energy collapses (melencholy, dark, brooding). One can also look at it from a point of nutrition: by eating whole grains, beans, mildly sweet vegetables, malt sweetners, etc. these foods burn very slowly and give one even energy. If one is taking sweets like sugar, malple syrup, chocolate, honey, etc, these foods burn very quickly so a burst of energy occurs but afterwards there is nothing to run on so one goe's blood sugar goes down, down, down. Refined sweets actually deplete minerals from one's body (iron and calcium, mainly). Sugar Blues, by William Dufty is excellent reading if you want the full details.

If we are talking about someone who is already macrobiotic, it is probably just a matter of time. Both my husband and I were depressed for years before we became Macrobiotic. After starting Macrobiotics the depression cleared up with in a couple of months. He said it was like emerging from a cool lake. I didn't even realized how unhappy I was until I wasn't all of a sudden! Anyhow, if it still dosen't work, too much salt, baked flour products, seitan and not enough blanched vegetable salads could be the cause. Hope this helps-

Elizabeth

[Nancy]

Nisha,

In looking at the overall condition of depression, the first step to consider is one's own condition. For some, depression is pronounced and continual, an overlay of gloom, like a dark cloud blotting out the sunshine of each new day. Some are desperate and suicidal in immediate psychic pain that is intolerable, some have a low grade continual dissatisfaction with life in general.

Much of this can come from negative patterns of thinking, which one can correct by monitoring oneself. This is the basis of Cognitive Therapy. Think positively, and you will feel more hopeful. Ask yourself, -- what good does it do to have a negative outlook and approach life with doom and gloom, -- it does absolutely no good and is a form of self-sabotage. We cannot bring all our energy to life challenges (ie. "problems") by repeating, "I will never get through this", "why me?", or "I am sick and tired of things never turning out right".

Life is a learning experience and part and parcel of the experience are life's problems or "challenges", -- no one, rich or poor, escapes them. We've heard, "Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." Youth
are overwhelmed with how extreme life's experiences can be. They do not have the advantage of having been through extremes of living, and realizing one always comes out wiser and stronger on the other side. Life is a school on "spaceship earth" (from Gary Zukav's, "Seat of the Soul"). If we are especially insensible regarding a lesson, the lesson will be repeated in various forms, over and over again, until we learn it and can move on. This is essential to every human being's development, -- in this intelligent setup called the Order of the Universe.

Much personal strength comes with the knowledge that all who are alive will have problems to deal with that are constant. At times there will be more, and they will be more extreme than at other times. It is maturity and responsiblity to face each challenge with as much personal strength as we can bring to it. There is no point in lamenting, because a challenge will not go away. We can run, but the problem(s) will follow us. Running solves nothing. It will make for a mixed-up, messed-up, disorderly life of chaos and cowardice. Stand - in the face of a life challenge.

In the USA, our SAD (Standard American Diet) way of eating cause emotional problems to be especially difficult. What is also unfortunate, is that capitalist American thinking brings the "immediate gratification" way of eating to the rest of the world who were once healthy indigenous eaters. Meat, poultry, and dairy products injected with hormones and antibiotics wreak havoc on our emotional health. Overconsumption of sugar brings immediate gratification and a sugar high. Just like a drug, one soon crashes off the high. Years of the jagged effects of poor eating, bring with them intensified physical and emotional problems that are otherwise unnecessary.

Whole grains as the firm foundation of the Macrobiotic Way, give every individual a cornerstone of mental health and balance, as well as physical health and balance. Prove this to yourself when during especially difficult times, whether physical or emotional, you simplify your eating with Ohsawa's #7 diet, (whole grains and limited liquid). Physical and emotional balance is soon achieved. Three days into the #7, one begins to achieve emotional well-being, and physical feelings of bodily bliss. This is the natural state of our bodies, when not using food to sabotage our health and our lives.

Whole grains sustain the human body very well with their complex carbohydrate structure. They impart a balanced long-sustaining energy as human fuel, through food consumption. Blood sugar maintains a steady state of balance, instead of spiking up and down, causing energy and emotions to do the same.

Most practicing macrobiotic people will notice an almost immediate relief of depression, if they are following the recommended percentages of grains, vegetables, soup, beans, sea vegetables, and fish, nuts, seeds, or other. At the inception of a macrobiotic practice, the higher percentage of whole grains that make up one's diet, the easier it will be to achieve initial balance and heal from diseases long in the making. As we begin to achieve this balance, we are also learning yin/yang, and how our food and cooking fits into this philosophy. Once the beginning of mastery of the Order of the Universe starts to develop, we have found a great tool to manage our emotions in life with yin/yang. In a manner of speaking, we have found the "keys to the kingdom". We have gained knowledge of precisely how to achieve balance, at any time of the day, every day. This comprises emotional balance, physical balance, mental balance, and spiritual balance.

Yin/Yang, the Order of the Universe, are the great keys to achieving an orderly and abundant life -- one that is easy to enjoy.

No depression.

Nancy

[nisha]

Hi Nancy and Elizabeth,

I really appreciated your feedback on depression and agree whole heartedly that diet can change ones state of mind. The most frustrating thing for me is that the depressed person in my life is not willing to make dietary changes and is convinced that he eats "well enough". He resents the idea that diet can help so many ailments and thinks that those following macro diets are trying too hard to control their life. Do either of you have experience introducing the macro way of life to a sceptical, unmotivated and yet important person in your life. Anyone else out there who has insight is more than welcome to respond.

Thanks in advance,
Nisha

[mint]

Nancy and Elizabeth,
Thank you for posting this information, and thank you Nisha for posting the question. I am new to macrobiotics and taking an antidepressant daily. Now I feel even better that the macrobiotic way is the right course for me!
mint

[Shanti]

I believe that ones outlook on life along with proper nutrition is the most beneficial way to combat depression. I do believe an imbalance in chemicals in the brain is a cause for many suffering with depression. Balancing ones life, can also balance these chemical imbalances.

[Nancy]

A great deal of managing depression is learning yin/yang, along with the overall healing practice of macrobiotics. That is, eating organic whole grains, vegetables, beans, miso soup, sea vegetables, macrobiotic condiments, and Kukicha Twig Tea.

It is a good practice to feel one's emotions. Don't run away from them, don't try to hide from them behind addictions, drugs, alcohol, food, sex, TV, or computers! Our emotions, if uncomfortable, will tell us what we need to change about our lives. Why are we depressed? Does it stem from a life circumstance we can correct? Then, set about correcting it.

Sometimes there has been stress and discouragement over a long period of time and repeated negative thinking patterns in regard to surmounting problems. Eventually, our physical resources are depleted and our brain chemistry becomes unbalanced. We suffer from overall unbalanced bodily health and unbalanced mental outlook. In other words, we are simply burned out! At such times we can benefit from good food, rest, activity and exercise, as needed. A more yang diet, produces increased energy and confidence, temper it with fruit and more yin elements to produce light heartedness and gaiety.

Learn y/y and you will be well on the way to balanced bodily health and mental health.

Good book for balancing foods and moods is Kristina Turner's,
The Self-Healing Cookbook.

It's life, it's a gift, experience all you can, live life to the full...!
Nancy

---

[smith02]

Yes Nisha, our diet and specially magnesium and calcium plays big role in depression. A recent study that measured the level of magnesium and calcium in the cerebrospinal fluid of individuals who are depressed and suicidal found higher levels of calcium in those who were depressed and lower levels of magnesium in those who were suicidally depressed.

[Klara]

Much thanks to Smith02 for bringing up a very important old discussion. Nisha, are you still here??

Though much was said about depression, nobody seemed to address the issue of how to try to convince someone to try mb - I'm afraid I don't have encouraging news on that end - I don't believe a person can be convinced - but it is interesting to note how we can relate to others using the yin/yang principles. If you are dealing with a person with a more yang kind of personality (hard, stubborn, strong anger) then trying to force (more yang) just won't work - you need a soft (yin) approach, so agreeing, not fighting back, being sweet, and maybe - have to feel the situation, of offering or sharing your food can very very slowly have an effect. If offering your food only angers the other person, of if they feel you are manipulating them, then that isn't the answer.

I'm in a similar situation, and I realized the best I could do I'm not really doing, which is to make myself much more mb and balanced, so I don't find myself fighting back. When I find I do get angry or frustrated, I try to go for more sweet vegetable drinks, leafy greens, foods which can create in me more yin so I myself can soften up.

The other consideration is that yin/yang philosophy goes beyond diet - so keep in mind how to try other things besides diet - is the person open to being massaged by you, going for walks together??

Although I'm still working on it, I try to remind myself in my situation that when the other person has an outburst, I need not to get angry, after all it's a result of his condition, which of course is the way it is because of all the meat, cheese, etc, so that I can be more understanding. It's hard work, but the best we can do is work on ourselves, and hopefully set a good example. I have seen some changes in his diet, but not because I said do it, but because he decided to, so be patient.

Klara

[barita_lola]

My friend, Some people are real attention grabbers and think that Depression is fun. People who actually have depression are suffering. I agree. I have depression and some people are "Oh I have depression because such and such broke up with me" I wouldn't be surprised that if their parents or a school official took their depression seriosuly and recommened them to a mental facility or a therapist. You watch how fast they say they don't have depression.