Study Offers New Hope for Depression Sufferers…Research Shows Depression Linked to Inflammation!

If you suffer with depression  or know someone who does, then what you’re about to read may seem like it was written just for you.  But first…

Have you heard of Stephen Hawking?  He is widely regarded as the top mind in theoretical physics and possibly the best mind in any field.  In fact, it’s reported that his IQ score is around 160.  (Anything over 140 is considered “genius.”)

While IQ tests are great for measuring some parts on intelligence – like memory, mathematical ability, verbal reasoning, and logic – an IQ score only describes one part of the big picture.  In other words, someone with a high IQ may be smart, but it doesn’t necessarily make them wise.

But we’re going to go out on a limb and say that not only does Stephen Hawking have a genius-level IQ, he’s also extremely wise because he offers advice like this:

“However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. While there’s life, there is hope.”

While there is life, there is hope.  These are not hollow words from Hawking.  Here is why…      Hawking suffers from a rare early-onset, slow-progressing form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Hawking was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 21 and was not expected to live beyond age 25.  Most people diagnosed with ALS are over 50 years old and die within five years.

Hawking is still alive today at the age of 73. The disease has gradually paralyzed him, and he lost the ability to speak in the 80s.  In 1985, he began speaking through a computer system he could operate with subtle facial movements. Despite his physical limitations, Hawking spent 30 years as the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge (the same position held by Isaac Newton), and he is currently the Director of Research at the school’s Center for Theoretical Cosmology.

While There Is Life, There Is Hope.

Here is a great example of why hope should never be lost.  According to an article in FEELGUIDE, “New research is revealing that many cases of depression are caused by an allergic reaction to inflammation.  Tim de Chant of NOVA writes: ‘Inflammation is our immune system’s natural response to injuries, infections, or foreign compounds.  When triggered, the body pumps various cells and proteins to the site through the blood stream, including cytokines, a class of proteins that facilitate intercellular communication.  It also happens that people suffering from depression are loaded with cytokines.’

“Inflammation is caused by obesity, high sugar diets, high quantities of trans fats, unhealthy diets in general, and other causes.”

Caroline Williams of The Guardian writes: “The good news is that the few clinical trials done so far have found that adding anti-inflammatory medicines to antidepressants not only improves symptoms, it also increases the proportion of people who respond to treatment, although more trials will be needed to confirm this.  There is also some evidence that omega 3 and curcumin, an extract of the spice turmeric, might have similar effects.  Both are available over the counter and might be worth a try, although as an add-on to any prescribed treatment – there’s definitely not enough evidence to use them as a replacement.”

Some people even believe this finding may eventually lead to a possible cure for depression. Maybe, maybe not. But…

Is There Anything You Can Do Right Now?

At the very least, start eliminating as many of the things that cause inflammation in your body as possible like processed foods, sugar, trans fats, etc.  Just eliminating processed foods can go a long way in helping you reduce inflammation in the body (not to mention you’ll probably also lose weight in the process).

It’s amazing that most health problems are self-inflicted.  For example, a new study recently published in the journal The Lancet showed poor diet and high blood pressure are now the top risk factors for early death.

A huge 25-year international study of global causes of death showed that child and maternal malnutrition, unsafe water, poor sanitation, and lack of hand washing were the leading risks for death in 1990, but these have been replaced by dietary risks and high blood pressure.

Now it turns out inflammation caused by a poor diet may be a major player in depression as well.  It’s amazing how simply eating a healthy diet has the potential to dramatically improve your wellbeing and quality of life, not to mention the length of your life…

Don’t forget, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health, talk to us. Contact us with your questions. We’re here to help and don’t enjoy anything more than participating in providing you natural pain relief.