Remember the adage that says, “Eat well, feel well?” According to a recent study made by doctors at McLean Hospital, at the famous Harvard University, certain foods have an antidepressant effect. Foods have the same reaction as drugs that are usually recommended to depressed individuals – such as e.g. Prozac and Zoloft.

Research is still ongoing, but the studies made so far were only made on laboratory mice. So if you suffer from depression and you are on a depression treatment, do not give it up just yet. However, experts believe that certain foods contribute significantly to preventing or treating depression.

“The foods we eat provide the body with ‘fuel’ needed to work,” said Dr. Bill Carlezon, research project coordinator. “As we all know, the activity of neurons and neuronal transmitters is essential and it depends on people’s physical and mental condition. So if we give the body ‘fuel’ of inferior quality, we should not be surprised that we do not feel well.”

Carlezon applied the same research methods used for the discovery of many antidepressant treatments, dividing mice into two groups and managing the first group using two types of substances found in food: omega-3 fatty acids (which the body can not produce in sufficient quantities) and uridine, which stimulates energy production in the body. Simultaneously, another group of mice received antidepressants.

The experiments have shown that omega-3 fatty acids have been unsuccessful after one month, and uridine was effective as long as the mice were fed with it. But if the two substances are administered simultaneously, within ten days we see the same reaction as in the mice receiving conventional antidepressants. Furthermore these two substances are also used in quick weight loss diets to compensate for certain deficiencies.

Food is essential for our survival and for our well being so be careful what you eat.