For a lot of years, there has been anecdotal evidence linking depression with gluten (along with more serious mental disorders, up to and including schizophrenia). The problem is, scientists in general, and doctors in particular pay little or no attention to evidence of this type. However, new discoveries have begun to throw light on what is going on.

Clinical depression appears to be linked with serotonin levels in the brain. This has led to the development of new types of anti-depressants, including SSRIs (Prozac is the most well known brand). These new drugs are not without their problems, however. Although initially hailed as dependency-free and safe, there has been a worrying rise in suicide amongst people taking these drugs, and certain patients have apparently had great difficulty in coming off them.

Serotonin is a natural substance which is produced in the body. This natural production appears to be impaired or reduced in various groups of people, including depressives.

The reasons for this impairment are not yet completely clear. However, 90% of the production of serotonin occurs in the digestive tract. So it begins to make sense that the food eaten might have an effect, either positive or negative, on serotonin production.

A report by Ron Hoggan M.A. & James Braly M.D. examines the relationship between depression and diet. They cite various studies carried out by Christine Zioudrou and later followed up by Fukudome and Yoshikawa. They point to morphine-like substances caused by incomplete digestion of proteins in cereal grains and dairy products (called “exorphins”). It is thought that these exorphins can be absorbed through the intestine, offering a possible explanation for the psychiatric effects experienced by otherwise healthy individuals.

Another report by Alessio Fasano and Carlo Catassi states that there is an “Asymptomatic Silent Form” of celiac disease. The term asymptomatic is a bit of a misnomer, as it refers only to the lack of positive test results. Symptoms of this form of gluten intolerance (which may not all be present) are: iron deficiency, a tendency to depression, irritability, or impaired school performance in children “feeling always tired,” and easy fatigue during exercise, and reduced bone mineral density.

In a lecture he gave in 2002, James V. Croxton, M.A. talked about new discoveries relating to previously ignored cells in the brain called glial cells. These appear to be closely involved in the immune system, and directly affected by gliadin, part of the gluten found in wheat and other cereals.

Gluten-free diets (sometimes combined with dairy-free) have been used for autism, depression and schizophrenia, with some success. Even though the mechanism is still not fully clear, it does appear that there is a scientific basis for a connection between gluten and depression in susceptible individuals.

Further research may bring a cure. For the time being, though the only safe approach is to exclude gluten from the diet entirely.

There are few things in life that bring about sorrow like depression. It is a whole body experience, meaning that the entire body feels the effects of this debilitating disorder. There are many symptoms of depression and many results can come from these symptoms, but for the purpose of this article, one will be focused on in particular. Suicidal idealization can be the most devastating of all Depression symptoms. Feelings of complete hopelessness that derive from these ideas can further a depressive state. Here are some tips that I have used to help in beating these feelings and thoughts.

1. Acknowledge that the feelings are there. If you are having thoughts of suicide then you first have to admit that they are there. You can’t beat something if you are in denial.

2. Don’t ponder. This seems like a contradiction to number 1 but it’s not. It is OK to accept that the thoughts are there, but it isn’t OK to stay hung up on those thoughts.

3. Tell a friend. You have to have a support group behind you. You don’t have to face these thoughts and feelings alone. Also the friend or friends that you have told can check up on you.

4. Know that you are not alone. Others have experienced the same thoughts and feeling you have. They are not unique to you. If others can beat it so can you.

5. It will pass. For most these thoughts and feelings are just temporary, fight the good fight and you will get through it.

6. Know what you are really wanting. Most people don’t want to die; they just don’t want to live like they are.

7. Keep busy with a smile. Keep yourself preoccupied. Avoid alone time and always smile. This is hard but it will keep your mind off of suicidal thoughts and feelings of distress.

8. Write down your strong points. Write down your strong points, any and all of them, even if it is hard at the time to think of any. When you are done, read them out loud, to yourself or to a friend. Hearing these strong points will boost your sense of self worth.

9. Get help. This is the most important thing you can do. Seek out a counselor. They are trained on how to handle and what to do with these feelings and thoughts. They can provide crucial feedback and give valuable tools that you can use to beat this.

10. Death is not an option. Tell yourself, “I am a fighter, I can beat this.” “This is only temporary, it will get better.” Take the legs out from suicidal idealization by forcing yourself to accept that anything is an option except death.

Now remember I am not a trained professional, these are simply things that I have used to beat suicidal idealizations. If you are experiencing thoughts or feelings of suicide then seek immediate help. The important thing to remember is that you can and will beat these thoughts and feelings. Tell yourself that you will not be a statistic but rather you will beat this and live a long, fruitful, healthy and happy life.

So many individuals live with depression and are unable to see a way out. Being diagnosed with depression or anxiety is very common these days. The economy is such right now that many individuals are depressed and anxious not sure of what the future holds for their lives. Depression is very real while the person is experiencing it, having an evaluation by a doctor is a starting point, perhaps medication management is necessary. If depression and anxiety go untreated then other disorders come about. For both men and women food can become a source of comfort.

Many individuals are self medicating with food, drugs alcohol, shopping the list is endless. Unfortunately,the stigma of mental illness kills people everyday. When depression goes on undiagnosed and other addictions continue the resultis a manifestation of unmanageability with life. What started out as a pain reliever or so the individual thought soon turns into an addition that will bring his or her world down to a crashing halt. Ask anyone who has been depressed and received the help he or she needed and was able to get through it; they are the first people to tell someone to get help now.

Individuals need to not feel shame in being diagnosed with anxiety or depression in fact, some people experience a sense of relief that a solution exists. Depending on the severity of the diagnosis and how long it has been untreated determines the course of action in the road to recovery. Many people are unaware that they don’t have to go to a psychiatric unit to get the right medications to treat the disorder. Inpatient dual diagnosis programs are available and most are covered by the individual’s private health insurance. Reaching out for help is the way to live a new healthy balanced life.

Joanna works for the Women’s Behavioral Program. She has overcome adversities and shares her hope with anyone she comes in contact with. Joanna is a known published author in the Bariatric and Weight Loss Community, she has spent the last 13 years helping to inspire and motivate people on the value of the body, mind and spirit connection.

It is generally agreed that men with more than 25% body fat and women with more than 33% body fat are obese. Body fat percentage is total body fat expressed as a percentage of total body weight.

Direct attempts to determine body fat percent are difficult and often expensive. The presence of obesity must be evaluated in the context of the risk factors such as medical conditions that could influence the risk of complications.

The sure fact is at the origin of the obesity is the malfunction of one or more of the three glands from the human body: the thyroid gland, the hypophysis gland and the adrenal gland. Most of the people think that the fat persons are lazy or they don’t do enough exercise.

This is a wrong vision.

The obesity is a disorder, and, unfortunately, one who make suffer the third part of the population, according to the statistics. Of course that we can control our body weight by eating right food, by eating at regulate hours, by not eating in excess, by making any kind of sport, but there are cases which can not be controlled by regular methods. Usually, the people in this situation are looking the salvation in weight loss methods.

There is a substantial market for products which promise to make weight loss easier, quicker, cheaper, more reliable, or less painful. These include books, CD, cremes, lotions, pills, rings and earrings, body wraps, body belts and other materials, not to mention fitness centers, personal coaches, weight loss groups, and food products and supplements. Some weight loss diets are good for one category of users, and some not. The obesity as disorder could have a large variety of causes, and the recipe should be given according to the diagnostic. Therefore you may not say that some particular method to lose weight is wrong if it didn’t worked for you.

It could work very well for other persons with a different cause for their extra weight. Of course that there are and a lot of scams on the market, but, as in every branch, they don’t last long. Anyway, as a general idea, we should take care of our body by considering what do we eat, when do we eat, how do we eat and how much do we eat. And, of course, the physical exercises must not be forgotten. If you here that you may loose weight by making fitness, aerobic, bodybuilding, jogging, swimming, believe it all. Any kind of sport, even walking or climbing stairs, is welcomed for the health of our body. If you find the balance between the calories you are consuming and those you are eliminating, you reduce drastic the risque of obesity or extra weight. If you want to learn more on this theme, visit my blog Weight Loss