My hypothesis is How can nutrition help fight depression and boost Literature review

My hypothesis is How can nutrition help fight depression and boost mood and the corrlation bewtween them - Literature review Example In fact, more and more experts and people are realizing that diet and nutritional supplements not only helping in fighting depression but it also helps in curing depression and even preventing it in the first place (Wiseman, 2002). Diet and Depression Before even shedding light on the link between depression and diet, it is important to know that depression is a very critical and increasing phenomenon in the western world and especially in the United States. The figure presented above shows that in the year 2006 more than 5 percent of the population in the United States was diagnosed with depression. Diet plays an important role in influencing the mood and behavior and individuals. The same is evident from the figure presented above from Academy of American Family Physicians, which clearly shows that the cure for most of the depressive disorders lies in medication and diet (Wagemaker, 2009). This is true because neurotransmitters, which are responsible for controlling our behavior an d moods are controlled by what we eat. Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine appear at the top of the list of the neurotransmitters, which have their association with mood (Alaimo, Olson, & Frongillo, 2000). Important here to note is that any deficiency, excesses or imbalance in these neurotransmitters eventually result in mood swings, behavioral alternations, and impact on the perceptions of any person about pleasure and pain (Carroll & Royal Society of Canada, 1998). Serotonin plays an important role in mood, sleep, relaxation and appetite (Barker, 2002). Dopamine and norepinephrine are responsible for regulating and creating feelings and perceptions about hunger, thirst, digestion, blood pressure, aggression, sexual tendencies, breathing and respiration and others (Gropper, Smith & Groff, 2008; Licinio & Wong, 2005). A recent large cross sectional conducted by Australian researches under the umbrella of University of Melbourne reached interesting conclusions that women are more inclined towards eating a traditional diet are 30 percent less likely to face problems such as depression, dysthamia, stress and other anxiety related disorders (Escott-Stump, 2008). On the other hand, women who consume a more western diet were on a 50 percent more risk than other to face issues such as stress and depression (Markus et. al., 1998). Important here to note is that this has been one of those studies, which has looked on the link between the â€Å"whole diet† and â€Å"depression† whereas, other studies have tried to examine the impact and relationship between specific nutrients and their impact on moods and depression related illness (Whitney & Rolfes, 2008). This study was conducted with 1046 women, which were between the ages of 20-94. The diet of respondents was monitored with the help of a comprehensive questionnaire, extracted from the Cancer Council Victoria dietary questionnaire. The questionnaire has the room for noting around 74 different foods and 7 alcoholic beverages. The research took place over the time of 12 months (LaHaye & LaHaye, 1996; O'Connor, 1997; DeBruyne, Pinna, Whitney & Whitney, 2008). The principal researcher Felice Jacka, even provided concluding remarks in these words, â€Å"Simply put, if you habitually eat a healthy diet that includes fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and high-quality lean meat, then you may cut your risk of