Beyond Diet & Depression: Volume 1 -- Basic Knowledge, Clinical Symptoms & Treatment of Depression

Depression is a complex global health challenge with considerable economical and psychological burden. Women, adolescents, and aging subjects are highly vulnerable to suffer from depression. Depression is linked to numerous modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Its effective treatment involves both psychotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Currently available pharmacotherapeutical agents used for the treatment of depression have a low margin of safety and reduced therapeutic index with deleterious adverse effects including osteoporosis, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, infertility and even fatalities if abused. It is now realized that a healthy life style and consuming diets rich in Mediterranean component can ameliorate minor to moderate symptoms of depression. In this regard, tryptophan-rich diets, diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as fish, olive oil, and Flax seed oil, whole grains, soy bean, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 along with iron and vitamin D3 are highly significant for alleviating various symptoms of depression.