Depression is one of the most common mental issues in America, affecting over 16 million Americans annually. It affects people at any age and people of any race or ethnic group. The treatment depends on pattern, severity, depressive symptoms, and history of the illness. Still, antidepressants are the most common choice of treatment, which makes them currently represent a $10 billion dollar business in America. These drugs are based on the theory suggesting that anxiety and depressive disorders are triggered by low serotonin levels. However, this theory itself is hypothetical, without any experiment showing that anyone has imbalance of any neurotransmitters or other brain chemicals.
This is why over the last decade, many experts tried to prove this theory wrong. According to David D. Burns, (When Panic Attacks)
“This theory is fueled more by drug company marketing than by solid scientific proof. Billions of dollars of annual profits from the sale of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are at stake, so drug companies spend vast amounts of money promoting the chemical imbalance theory. They also subsidize a large portion of the budget of the American psychiatric Association and underwrite an enormous amount of research and education at medical schools.”
“Academic research should be all about getting to the truth. Drug company research is all about selling new products.”
“But if I tell you that your depression or panic attacks result from a chemical imbalance in your brain, then I’m telling you something that can’t be proven, because there is no test for a chemical imbalance in the human brain.”
Recent research is showing that depression is an allergic reaction to inflammation
Inflammation is a complex biological response of the body to an injury, an infection, pathogens, irritants, or damaged cells. When triggered, the body produces a wide range of chemicals like cytokines. As explained by Tim de Chant of NOVA, “Inflammation is our immune system’s natural response to injuries, infections, or foreign compounds. When triggered, the body pumps various cells and proteins to the site through the blood stream, including cytokines, a class of proteins that facilitate intercellular communication. It also happens that people suffering from depression are loaded with cytokines.”
The major causes of inflammation include high sugar diets, high quantities of trans fats, obesity, and unhealthy diets in general.
Inflammation and Gluten
One of the most common foods which cause an inflammatory response is gluten, a mixture of proteins found in wheat. Once it penetrates the intestinal lining, it enters the bloodstream and eventually gets to the brain where it triggers an inflammatory response. Inflammation in the brain may lead to neurological disorders likes Parkinson`s, Alzheimer`, schizophrenia, and seizures.
Note: Look for possible causes of inflammation like gluten intolerance, autoimmune disease, food intolerances or an infection.
Sources:
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/depression