Is Depression a Symptom of Something Else?
When we are feeling chronically sad, anxious, hopeless, or depressed, we normally make an appointment with a therapist, counselor or psychiatrist. This is because of the long-standing belief that depressive disorders stem from a malfunction or imbalance in our brain chemistry – mainly our neurotransmitter levels. For treatment, there is talk therapy or group therapy, and often we take anti-depressant medications. But, what if I told you there is way more to the story of depression than neurotransmitters? Or that depression may be a symptom of something else entirely? Compelling new research over the past few years points to inflammation in the body as a possible primary cause of depression.
Depressive disorders are of the most commonly experienced disorders in our population today, with about 15 million people affected each year. Conventional medical treatments focus on the administration of antidepressant medication, which mainly manipulates neurotransmitter function. However, more than 30% of depressed patients using antidepressant medication fail to achieve remission, even with the use of multiple types of medications[1]. Good news, there is another way to heal depression: finding and calming inflammation.
During an inflammatory reaction, our bodies produce chemicals called “cytokines.” Research has shown that these inflammatory cytokines produce a wide variety of neurological symptoms that perfectly reflect the characteristics used to diagnose depression[2]. Actually, antidepressant drugs have been shown to reduce the production of these cytokines, which may explain their effectiveness at lowering depressive symptoms[3].
How do we know depression and inflammation are linked? Here’s a quick summary of research showing a relationship between depression and inflammation.
– Depression is commonly present in acute, inflammatory illnesses[4]
– Higher levels of inflammation increase the risk of developing depression[5]
– Depression is commonly present in chronic inflammatory conditions such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, and cancer[6].
– Administering endotoxins that provoke inflammation to healthy people triggers classic depressive symptoms[7]
– A significant number of patients who take interferon, a inflammatory medication used to treat hepatitis C, develop major depression[8]
– Remission of clinical depression is often associated with a normalization of inflammatory markers[9]
Let’s take a closer look at the some of the most common inflammatory conditions that are associated with depression:
1. Stress – Research shows that psychosocial stress stimulates the pro-inflammatory cytokine network[10]. This means that psychosocial stressors that can cause depression (negatively perceived childhood experiences, trauma, or other stressful events) cause inflammation in our bodies.
2. Diet – Our modern diet is inflammatory. Processed foods like sugar, refined flour, processed vegetable oils, and food additives are all to blame. At the same time, our diet is commonly low in anti-inflammatory foods like vegetables, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. Research suggests that this type of diet is linked to depressive disorders[11].
3. Obesity – The modern diet has caused a surge in obesity, one of the most inflammatory states our bodies can experience. Studies find high cytokine activity in obese patients, and lowered levels when patients lose weight[12]. We also see a very close link between obesity and depression – a relationship that may be bridged by inflammation.
4. Gut Health – an imbalance in our gut microbiome and increased intestinal permeability are both associated with inflammation as well as depression. Many studies link negative bacterial overgrowth with Major Depression[13].
The good news about inflammation and depression:
What does this all mean for you if you are struggling with depression? It means you have SO much control over it! It means that there are a number of things you can start doing right now that will reduce inflammation in the body and brain, and reduce your depressive symptoms. Here are a few first steps:
1. Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle. Swap processed foods for whole, organic, and nutrient-dense foods. Manage stress, get good sleep, and move your body.
2. Explore your root causes of inflammation. On your own or with the help of a holistic practitioner, look into other possible causes of inflammation that could be contributing to depression. Bacterial dysbiosis in the gut, chronic infections, nutrient deficiencies, and toxin exposure are just some of the possible causes.
Find out more about how to heal from inflammation by contacting Element today and setting up an appointment with Kris, the in-house nutritionist.
[1] Miller, Andrew H., Vladimir Maletic, and Charles L. Raison. “Inflammation and Its Discontents: The Role of Cytokines in the Pathophysiology of Major Depression.” Biological psychiatry 65.9 (2009): 732–741. PMC. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.
[2] http://www.cytokines-and-depression.com/chapter7.html
[3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8880223
[4] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20015486
[5] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21037214
[6] Almond, Mariea. “Depression and Inflammation: Examining the Link.” Current Psychiatry 12.6 (2013): 24-32. Print.
[7] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11343523
[8] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22967776
[9] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21796103
[10] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1777728
[11] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20048020
[12] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22429824
Kris Smyth
Master Nutritionist Therapist and Certified Health Coach
Her Health Coach certification was received in 2011 through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN). This certification allows Kris to be a coach and a support system in helping clients reach their health goals. In 2013, Kris moved from NYC to Denver to earn her Nutrition Therapy Practitioner certification at the Nutrition Therapy Institute (NTI). Kris was educated by highly experienced naturopathic doctors and nutritionists in science-based nutrition and nutrition protocols to effectively help prevent dis-ease, support healing and optimize health. In 2016, she received her second certification through NTI to become a Master Nutrition Therapist. Kris has also worked alongside acupuncturists, naturopaths, and functional medicine practitioners to further enhance her knowledge and experience in holistic health and nutrition.
Kris currently lives in Brooklyn where she runs Kris Wellness and partners with some of the best wellness practitioners in Brooklyn. She is the premier Holistic Nutrition Consultant at The Meal Collective – a natural food chef service offering private and group chef services that provide its clients with convenient, healthy, and therapeutic meals. She also works at Element Healing Arts in Carroll Gardens, offering individualized nutrition consulting to its clients. Finally, Kris is a nutritionist at InviteHealth, a high quality supplement company with shops all over the greater New York City area.