Many people suffer from depression. However, there is a very easy solution to depression in MOST cases. There’s no doubt in my mind that radically reducing or eliminating all forms of sugar and artificial sweeteners from your diet is a crucial step to prevent and/or address depression. Therefore… if you have depression FIRST STOP EATING SUGAR. Here are six additional strategies that can help you even further:

  1. Exercise – If you have depression, or even if you just feel down from time to time, exercise is a MUST. Exercise supports your body in producing feel good chemicals.
  2. Eat a healthy diet – A factor that cannot be overlooked is your diet. Foods have an immense impact on your mood and ability to cope and be happy, and eating whole foods supports your mental health. Avoiding sugar and grains will help normalize your insulin and leptin levels, and eliminating artificial sweeteners will eliminate your chances of suffering its toxic effects.
  3. Optimize your gut health – Fermented foods, such as fermented vegetables are also important for optimal mental health, as they are key for optimizing your gut health, or adding in a good probiotic daily.  Depression is often linked to inflammation in the gut.
  4. Support optimal brain functioning with essential fats – Studies show this is as affective as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression.  6 grams of each Omega 3, 6, 9 daily.  This is also important for heart health, sleep and joint health.  This may be the single most important nutrition for depression.
  5. Get plenty of sunshine – Making sure you’re getting enough sunlight exposure to have healthy vitamin D levels is also a crucial factor in treating depression or keeping it at bay.  Have your D3 blood levels checked yearly.  You want 50 to 70 blood levels.  This also strengthens your immune system.
  6. Address your stress – Depression is a very serious condition, however it is not a “disease.” Rather, it’s a sign that your body and your life are out of balance. Meditation or yoga can sometimes help. If weather permits, get outside for a walk. But in addition to that, I also recommend using a system that can help you address emotional issues that you may not even be consciously aware of. For this, my favorite is NET (Neuroemotional technique).