I think the foods we're consuming these days are contributing to a lot of the anger, hate,
and rudeness that we're seeing. We're eating so many processed foods with artificial
flavorings, colors, and what not that I think it's making us all sick - mentally, mostly. And
out beverages, too. Does anyone agree?

I think you have a very good point there.

You might not think this has to do with depression, but I think the food issue might
affect our moods, too - our mental health. Also, the anger, hate, and rudeness definitely
makes me more depressed. I hate how people treat one another these days.

Yes, I agree. It's a snowball effect. If our way of life is negatively affecting our moods, we're not going to be nice to each other(let alone ourselves), and it becomes a vicious circle. There was a Twilight Zone episode about a man who inadvertently took a train back in time to a gentler place, called Willoughbie. I can't remember how it ended.

---

The mind is a weird and mysterious place

I think the foods we're consuming these days are contributing to a lot of the anger, hate,
and rudeness that we're seeing. We're eating so many processed foods with artificial
flavorings, colors, and what not that I think it's making us all sick - mentally, mostly. And
out beverages, too. Does anyone agree?

I do.
Processed food heated in a microwave oven...
Very sweet beverages along...
But that's only a part that could trigger a depression.

Well asap I'm having mixed veggies(corn, carrots, peas, and green beans) w/pepper, and fish fillets, which is what I normally have for dinner, takes less than 10 mins in the Microwave oven to heat up, chased down by some Crystal Light Fruit Punch.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

I think the foods we're consuming these days are contributing to a lot of the anger, hate,
and rudeness that we're seeing. ....

Interesting argument.

... but just to be counter courant (again :)...

Certain areas of America (and the world) have higher water table levels of Lithium and therefore drinking water and natural foods are saturated.

In all those areas there are far fewer people in prisons because of aggressive or violent acts!

Certain foods that are highly processed, for example tinned and plasticated (microwave) foods contain Z\T estrogens which can counteract and alter testosterone causing changes in gender difference and slightly feminising populations (animal or human.) (Feminising traditionally has been suggested the less aggressive.)

I'm a Veggie so eating soya that also has higher estrogen levels might suggest Veggies are more 'gentle' people...

Problem is that most of our foods are soya, plasticated and tinned these days even for meat eaters.

Also there has been an idea around for a long time that depression in part is a genetic response to periods of deprivation or low food supplies.

The idea is that in periods of scarcity we become more depressed like.

Since most of the world (powered by petrol these days) generally has the chance of eating a far greater range of foods than we have for the past million years it suggests we are have a better range of nutrients.

No doubt processed food with high sugar, salt and overcooked contents are not as good for us as natural foods but we now have a better choice of food variety and amount than at any other time in our history.

I suspect that food has little effect on clinical depression except in specific circumstances.

Another example:

It is true that the poor and working class have less money for fresh food and lesser education around eating fresh foods.

If food was an issue then it would suggest that clinical depression or mental health issues were more prevalent in the working classes than in the middle or upper classes. (Or less educated.)

The issue that i would really like to stand up for is this concept that those who suffer depression or mental health might due to this or that concept be more aggressive, or use anger, hate,
and rudeness.

Certainly people who suffer health issues often have to 'speak out' or be 'more forceful' to be heard or respected but the balance of mental health issues means that proportion of those who are aggressive or gentle is mostly the same as those within the healthy population.

Given depression and mental health issues have been documented back as far as ancient Greece and even Egypt and I suspect Mesopotamia and Persia I suspect food is not a causal effect and only plays a small part and certainly not around aggressive behavior.

I have no doubt that food has a real effect in the lives of ALL people regardless of health issues and good food will always benefit the unhealthy.

I also have no doubt that certain plants or derivatives are beneficial at times.

It might be useful when opening up a discussion about depression that we define what it means to us given some will think it about their own negative or emotional feelings and some may be experiencing something medical and some believing something else.

As to me.

I need to eat more greens, less sugar, less soy and dance more.

.......Crystal Light Fruit Punch.

What's that?

Sounds interesting.

.......Crystal Light Fruit Punch.

What's that?

Sounds interesting.

It's this, two packets per 2 gallons of water, usually the size I get has 6 packets inside the container.

---

The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

.......Crystal Light Fruit Punch.

......
It's this, two packets per 2 gallons of water, usually the size I get has 6 packets inside the container.

It's packaging is quite pink just like your avatar Zoom :)~

Totally full of chemicals, processed and dehydrated fruit n stuff.

Much like most vitamin & mineral tablets sold as (general \ mental) health beneficial.

I hope you don't drink too much..

It could send you on a crazy rampage..

Looks quite delicious actually.

.

.......Crystal Light Fruit Punch.

......
It's this, two packets per 2 gallons of water, usually the size I get has 6 packets inside the container.

It's packaging is quite pink just like your avatar Zoom :)~

Totally full of chemicals, processed and dehydrated fruit n stuff.

Much like most vitamin & mineral tablets sold as (general \ mental) health beneficial.

I hope you don't drink too much..

It could send you on a crazy rampage..

Looks quite delicious actually.

.

Actually the drink once mixed with water, is very delicious, and only 5 calories a serving too.

So far the only one who goes on a rampage, is My cat, and then it's to get My attention.

And I do drink a lot of it, about 6 containers a month.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

I suspect that food has little effect on clinical depression except in specific circumstances.

+1

I have no doubt that food has a real effect in the lives of ALL people regardless of health issues and good food will always benefit the unhealthy.

+1



Trying to pin a specific condition on food consumption is much like trying to nail jelly to a tree. There are soooooooooooooo many variables involved that you never really know if you've actually got something pinned down.

I can think of several physical conditions (scurvy, kwashiokor, rickets) that directly stem from malnutrition, but processed foods are often fortified with vitamins and minerals and processed foods, generally, are calorie rich. The human body can do much to compensate for poor nutrition, if provided with sufficient calories.

Human beings are truly omnivores. I have read that there are specific groups of indigenous people in Alaska who, historically, lived primarily on whale blubber. Talk about a poor/restrictive diet!!!


Do I think that poor/highly restrictive diets are optimal for general health? No.

Do I think that "real food" is better than highly processed foods, for the promotion of general physical and mental health? Yes.

Do I think that consumption of processed foods causes or exacerbates clinical depression. No.

Do I think that the factors that tend to correlate highly with a diet high in processed foods (low socio-economic status, reduced educational attainment, limited economic opportunity) can impact mental health? Yes.


I just don't want to confuse correlation with causality.

@cRunchy - I believe this thread was started by Puss in Boots in response to a comment I made in this thread. I assume because she felt more able to take the heat I got in my inbox (that caused me to make the comment in the first place) than I myself am. Which is why I said this.

I am genuinely and truly sorry she has caught so much flak from people for doing so. I personally feel she had her heart in the right place when she posted her opening comment. That it was ignored is the responsibility of the person that ignored it though,surely? Obviously that can't be confirmed until her return, but I honestly don't know why you think that was you, cRunchy? That's not my take of everything that's been said :)

@thread topic: I am currently so severely depressed I can't see a way forwards anymore. I come to the boards at the weekends especially, because they're the time very many of my current problems cannot be tackled, and so do so in the hope to turn off my life for a few hours. I even thought at some point, I might be able to contribute something meaningful here that could be useful to others.

But I've now lost count of how many weekend excursions onto the boards in the past couple of months, have made me more miserable than when I started. I'm the only one responsible for that - no one else. I let something go on for too long that I shouldn't have.

The result is one option I initially rejected in favour of trying something less drastic, but I'm now certain it won't work. So I'll opt for the other I think.

Annie...........
Please know you have friends here that care about you.
You are most welcome to post whatever you wish to share any time, speaking for myself.

---

"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

Annie...........
Please know you have friends here that care about you.
You are most welcome to post whatever you wish to share any time, speaking for myself.

+1

Steve

---

Warning, addicted to SETI crunching!
Crunching as a member of GPU Users Group.
GPUUG Website

Annie...........
Please know you have friends here that care about you.
You are most welcome to post whatever you wish to share any time, speaking for myself.

+1

Steve

+2
Lynn

---

Annie...........
Please know you have friends here that care about you.
You are most welcome to post whatever you wish to share any time, speaking for myself.

+1

Steve

+2

+3 Annie.

Vic

---

The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Annie...........
Please know you have friends here that care about you.
You are most welcome to post whatever you wish to share any time, speaking for myself.

+4

---

Annie...........
Please know you have friends here that care about you.
You are most welcome to post whatever you wish to share any time, speaking for myself.

+5

When you get crappy pm's, just have a chuckle or 2 knowing they're from one 5 cans short of a 6 pack :-)

Annie, wishing you peace... and frequent use of the "ignore" feature!

.......Crystal Light Fruit Punch.

What's that?

Sounds interesting.

It's probably packed with sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and/or other
sweeteners, meaning it should be consumed only occasionally and in moderation.

Anyone who is still consuming HFCS should stop! It is evil!

Consumed sugar makes fat.

---

~Sue~

Annie...........
Please know you have friends here that care about you.
You are most welcome to post whatever you wish to share any time, speaking for myself.

Absolutely. I agree.

---

~Sue~

.......Crystal Light Fruit Punch.

What's that?

Sounds interesting.

It's probably packed with sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and/or other
sweeteners, meaning it should be consumed only occasionally and in moderation.

Anyone who is still consuming HFCS should stop! It is evil!

Consumed sugar makes fat.

Okay, I was wrong. It's sugar free. Good.

---

~Sue~