For anyone questioning if their diet can be better enhanced to try to combat depression, I would advise them to get in touch with a nutritionist.

While suffering with depression, a friend mentioned to me that she had begun visiting a nutritionist and that I may find it useful to consider looking at my diet. I began my research into diet and how it may be affecting me and ultimately not helping with my depression.

After much research, I established that I was pyroluric (genetically determined chemical imbalance). Being a pyroluric meant that my body was producing kryptopyrroles. Kryptppyrroles have no known function in the body but are expelled and can be detected in urine. Tests are available and can be don by a nutritionist/GP at a cost of approx £11 for the test. This biochemical formation meant my body was being robbed of zinc and b6. and therefore I was suffering with a nutritional deficiency. It is also important to realise that this condition is found in about 50% of patients suffering with a mental illness.

The effect of pyroluria can come in several forms (Mild, moderate or severe). This depends on the severity of the imbalance. Most pyroluric individuals show symptoms of zinc and/or B6 deficiencies.

Pyrolurics commonly exhibit at least two of these problems:-

1) Pale skin 2) Food intolerance 3) Irregular menstrual cycle 4) Definite body odour 5) Poor stress control 6) Nervousness, 7) Anxiety, 8) Mood swings, 9) Severe inner tension, 10) Episodic anger (an explosive temper), 11) Poor short-term memory 12) Depression.

I researched what nutrients would therefore be beneficial for my diet and established that the following would be helpful to try:-

Vitamin b6 100mg am & pm Zinc 30mg, am & pm Manganese 10mg am & pm

After further research I also established that I may have other nutritional deficiencies. I had read that by taking Vitamin C (1gram after meals) it is thought that in some mental health patients the vitamin helps to balance out deficiencies

I then found out a little about Cerebral (brain) Allergies. I looked f

urther into this and found that some people get depressed because they are eating foods which they are sensitive to. Apparently 1 in 4 people suffering with mental health problems suffer with this allergy. Some of the most common food allergens are wheat gluten and dairy products. There are tests available which can establish cerebral allergies. These are called 'Quantative IgG ELISA Tests' and cost approximately £200 for 50 foods. Once sensitivities are established, foods should be avoided for 3mnths. This way any digestive problems can be addressed and foods being improperly absorbed can be eliminated from the persons diet/systems.

Symptoms of cerebral allergies are:-

History of infantile eczema History of rashes Excessive daily mood swings Frequent rapid colds Seasonal allergies Relief of symptoms when fasting Food intolerance to wheat

Again, nutritional supplements are available and these include taking:-

Zinc 15mg am & pm Calcium 500mg am & pm Manganese 10 mg am & pm B6 100mg am & pm Vitamin C 1gram after each meal

Other research that I looked into suggested that a B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency can lead to depression. I therefore also began using both B3 (niacin) and B6 in my diet and personally noticed a change in my energy and enthusiasm.

Only by visiting a qualified Nutritionists can you achieve the best results. The nutritionist will then devise a therapeutic diet and supplement programme to bring your body chemistry back into balance.

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