Balanced diets 'can benefit SAD sufferers'
Consuming a healthy, balanced diet can be an important strategy for people who suffer seasonal affective disorder (SAD), an expert has claimed.Sue Pavlovich, media spokesperson for the Seasonal Affective Disorder Association, has highlighted the important role that tryptophan plays in creating the mood-enhancing hormone.
Those suffering with seasonal affective disorder would benefit from consuming a diet rich in this substance, as it may help to combat the condition's effects.
She advised people to consume proteins such as eggs, milk, fish and nuts in order to obtain a sufficient quantity of tryptophan.
Avoiding refined carbohydrates and opting to consumer complex carboydrates, bananas, dates and oats can also increase a dieter's intake of the substance.
These steps may help those with mild cases, although individuals who are affected more severely may need to seek light therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy or antidepressant medication.
Ann McCracken, chair of the International Stress Management Association UK, recently claimed that a healthy diet could also play a key role in helping to reduce stress and to improve people's ability to deal with pressure.
