Both depression and generalised anxiety disorder are a form of chronic stress. In this regard, the biochemical changes to the brain and other tissues as a direct result of the anxiety or depression can have a significant impact on the normal physiological function of the body. Stress places an additional requirement for nutrients on the body, and in particular antioxidants may be required in higher amounts than normal. Evidence suggests that stress leads to a generation of free radicals and this can overtime cause the depletion of antioxidants and the development of disease. Therefore anxiety and depression are associated with secondary health effects, that may be a direct result of chronic stress. Antioxidants, such as may be found in plants, have been shown to be beneficial at preventing a number of diseases associated with stress, possibly because they can replace the depleted antioxidants within tissues that results from chronic stress. A high antioxidant diet may therefore be beneficial for individuals with depression or anxiety.
Antioxidants from plants are beneficial to a number of health conditions. Polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamin E and vitamin C are all present in plant foods, and all can be a useful source of antioxidants in humans. Stress may deplete the body of antioxidants and this may necessitate the inclusion of more antioxidants to the diet. As both depression and generalised anxiety disorder are a form of stress, antioxidants may be useful in the treatment and control of these disorders.
In one study, researchers investigated the blood levels of antioxidants in patients with generalised anxiety disorder or depression. The researchers measure levels of β-carotene, C, and E in comparison to a healthy control group. The results showed that subjects with generalised anxiety disorder and depression had significantly lower levels of β-carotene, C, and E in comparison to healthy controls. The researchers then administered dietary supplements of these nutrients to the subjects with generalised anxiety disorder and depression for 6 weeks, and this caused a significant reduction in the symptoms of in anxiety and depression scores in the patients. This reduction in the anxiety and depression scores of the patients was accompanied by significant increases in the antioxidant blood levels for all vitamins, except for vitamin E in patients with depression. Antioxidant supplement therapy may therefore be a useful treatment for subjects with generalised anxiety disorder or depression.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
