One of the new pieces of information I came across in writing this book is called the
cytokine hypothesis of depression. And this is documenting an increase in the activity
of pro-inflammatory cytokines which are immune regulatory molecules correlating with depressive
states. If this is the case as it seems to be, then an anti-inflammatory diet and an
anti-inflammatory lifestyle would be effective both as treatments and prevention for depression.
And I find this a very convincing hypothesis and it opens up a whole other range of possibilities
for approaching depression than simply giving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Anti-inflammatory
diet and the anti-inflammatory diet pyramid, which are at DrWeil.com, give very detailed
instructions for reducing inflammation by making appropriate dietary choices. Not difficult
to do this is basically a version of a Mediterranean diet for which there is overwhelming evidence
that this is the healthiest way to eat.
