The Most Common Cause of Depression Is Easy to Avoid

What causes chronic depression?

Is it due to a traumatic event that somehow never gets resolved? Is it caused by a psychological weakness? Or is it more of a chemical problem? And why is it so common in certain families?

A recent study was designed to find out the answer to these questions and help people deal with depression more effectively.

The researchers were interested in the genetics of depression. So far, there are 74 different genetic variants, which increase the chance of getting depression. The study, by the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and the King's College London, is the largest study to-date looking at the genetic risk factors for major depression.

The first thing they discovered is that the genetics for major depression are not all that different from other psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. There is considerable overlap. And, it turns out that all humans carry at least some of the genetic factors found in the study. Apparently, simply from a genetic basis, it is normal to be depressed every now and then. But, are genetics the whole story?

According to one of the lead authors, Professor Cathryn Lewis from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King's College London “This study has shed a bright light on the genetics of depression, but it is only the first step.” She goes on to say, “We need further research to uncover more of the genetic underpinnings, and to understand how genetics and environmental stressors work together to increase risk of depression.” That last statement focuses on the key point. How exactly do genetic and environmental factors work together to create depression? One of the biggest clues is found in the very data that the scientists discovered. It has to do with a genetic inability to properly process carbohydrates.

A major point that stands out in the study is that being overweight is strongly linked to having an increased risk of depression. In fact, the data showed that the likelihood of being depressed went up according to how overweight a person is. The ones that were the most overweight were consistently more likely to be chronically depressed than those weighing less. Why is that? I can think of several reasons. But the most likely connection between being overweight and developing depression is carbohydrate intake. In susceptible people, those with a strong genetic tendency to depression, too many carbohydrates can cause both problems.

For people with a genetic tendency to depression, eating carbohydrates is like eating poison. In this case, when I am referring to carbohydrates, I specifically mean fruit (except berries), fruit juice, sugar, honey, grains (wheat, corn, rice, cereals, etc.), and the processed foods that contain them. While many people can do well eating these foods, that is not true for those sensitive to them.

If you are overweight and battle with depression, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to completely stop eating all of the carbohydrates I just mentioned for a month. You will know if you’re a carbohydrate-sensitive person because if you are, you will lose weight and feel less depressed by the end of the month. If that is what happens, then you should recognize that your genetics are not suited for carbohydrates. And since genetics don’t change, you should avoid those foods for the rest of your life or you will pay for it.

I can hear all the so-called nutritional experts immediately disagree saying that cutting out carbohydrates is not good for you. They believe that your body needs these foods and the fiber and nutrition that comes from them. Here’s why they are wrong.

First of all, the body has no need for carbohydrates. Here’s what I mean. There are two essential fats. “Essential” means that you will die if you do not get these fats in your diet because your body needs them, and you can’t make them. The only way you can get them is by eating them. There are eight essential amino acids, and the same thing is true for these essential nutrients. If you don’t get them in your diet, you will eventually get sick and die from it. Amino acids are found in protein. So, that means that you have to eat protein containing these amino acids. Now, guess how many essential carbohydrates there are.

If you guessed zero, you are right. There are no essential carbohydrates. That means that you can have a diet without any carbohydrates at all and still be perfectly healthy. The only substrate carbohydrates provide is sugar. All carbohydrates eventually break down into sugar. But, your body can make sugar from fat and protein. So, there’s no real need to eat them.

And secondly, the fact is that there are more than enough enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and fiber in vegetables and legumes to make up for the fact that you won’t be getting them in fruit and grains. In short, you can be like many people who completely avoid all carbohydrates and are among the healthiest folks on the planet.

Major depression is the kind of depression that won’t go away. It affects approximately 14% of the world’s population and 15 million Americans every year. Chronic depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for people ages 15 to 45. It is the single biggest cause of long-term disability worldwide. And, just as you would suspect of a genetically induced disorder, it is not a disease of the old. The average age for major depression is typically 32 years. And this is important.

Chronic depression occurs more often in women than in men. That’s important because it points out the strong connection between depression and carbohydrates. The major brain chemical for women is serotonin. When serotonin is deficient, women become depressed. And serotonin levels become deficient with carbohydrate intake. This is why, as a group, women are much more sensitive to the depressing effect of carbohydrates than men are.

Sometimes major depression is triggered by a major emotional upset. But many times it just seems to gradually come out of nowhere. Everyone gets depressed from time to time. But chronic depression is different. Here are the signs of chronic depression.

• Fatigue – this is the most common sign
• Difficulty making decisions
• Feeling overwhelmed when planning, initiating, or completing tasks
• Easily annoyed or irritated
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Eating too much or not enough
• Failure to adequately take care of your appearance or your living quarters
• Social isolation
• Decreased interests. Bored
• Nothing is enjoyable
• Negativity
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Fixating on death

Eating carbohydrates is not the only factor that can cause depression in genetically susceptible people. There are other environmental factors that include: chronic pain, hormonal deficiencies, sleep disorders, substance abuse, and nutritional deficiencies. But the most common problem is carbohydrate intake. So, if you find yourself dealing with depression, and especially if you’re female and overweight, do yourself a big favor. Cut out the carbs for a month and see if things don’t get a lot better.