Scientists believe there are likely multiple factors behind what seems like a depression epidemic among teens.
The prevalence of depression among U.S. adolescents is reportedly up 30% over the last decade.
For example, it's now well-established that anti-depressant prescription medicine can actually make depression worse.
Other commonly prescribed medicines have depression and other brain disorders as possible side effects.
Environmental scientists point to additional factors including artificial food coloring, which has been linked to depression and other disorders; prescription medicines in our drinking water supply; EMF radiation from our electronic devices; and multiple cancer-causing and neurotoxic pesticides on nearly all of our farm food.
Now, a new study says fast food may be a factor, too.
The study is entitled: "Sodium and potassium excretion predict increased depression in urban adolescents."
The study focused on "urban African American youth who are at higher risk for both poor diet (Burrows et al., 2010) and depression."
According to the findings, high sodium and low potassium are at issue.
"The results suggest that consumption of foods high in sodium and low in potassium contributes to the development of depressive symptoms in early adolescence, and that diet is a modifiable risk factor for adolescent depression. Interventions focusing on diet may improve mental health in urban adolescents," writes this study scientists.
They add that low sodium intake was associated with better health.
Read more about the study by clicking the link below:
CNN report on teen diet and depression
