As much as I would like to say otherwise, the number of people suffering from depression continues to grow.

Research published in The American Journal of Psychiatry reported that major depression rates for American adults more than doubled from 3.33 percent of adults in 1991 to 7.06 percent in 2002.

Depression is also considered a worldwide epidemic, with 5 percent of the global population (1 out of 20 people) suffering from a form of depression, according to the World Health Organization.

And here is where we currently stand according to the National Institute of Mental Health:

• Approximately 10 percent of adults aged 18 and over in the US suffer from depression, and nearly half of those cases are classified as severe.
• Depressive disorders are now appearing earlier in life. 50 years ago the average age of onset was 29–now it’s age 14.
• Antidepressant use in the US jumped nearly 400 percent in the 20-year period between 1988 and 2008, and at least 1 out of every 10 of us currently takes antidepressants.

Let’s take a closer look at what depression is all about, and talk about some surprising ways to get relief.

Depression—what exactly is it?

Depression isn’t a condition like pregnancy—it’s not a matter of either you are or you aren’t.

On the contrary, most of us are on a “sliding scale” that ranges from happy and upbeat to completely depressed.

Many people occasionally feel depressed or suffer from a low mood, but it’s temporary and before long they feel generally happy again.

Others have the “winter blues” known as SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and start to feel better once the warmer weather reappears.

But still others slide into a deeper, longer-lasting depression, and are very likely to seek help from a professional.

It’s important to remember that depression isn’t just one single process. There are actually two avenues to explore—your frame of mind and your brain chemistry.

And where people run into trouble is when they take medications like antidepressants that alter brain chemistry, yet their depression is truly due to a life event and their resulting frame of mind—such as grief over the death of a loved one, stress over a job loss, or other area of their life that causes them anger or frustration.

So they may be taking medication that they don’t need, which likely isn’t doing one iota of good for their depression, suffering side effects to boot, plus they may actually be worsening their depression by causing too much serotonin to build up.

Many different causes, many different answers

One point that is frequently overlooked when people seek help for depression is that there are many underlying factors and nutrient deficiencies that can trigger or worsen depression…

And unless those underlying issues are resolved, your chances of truly feeling better may be greatly diminished.

Here are five of the common culprits that can cause or exacerbate depression, as well as ways you can help turn them around (and start feeling a lot better!):

Depression trigger #1: Blood sugar imbalances

This is most commonly the result of having a diet that is heavy in refined carbohydrates–including white bread, bagels, hamburger and hot dog rolls, cookies, cakes, pastries, pasta, crackers, chips and soda.

Repeatedly eating foods like these stresses your pancreas, encourages insulin resistance, packs the pounds on you and can drive blood sugar spikes and crashes, as well as contribute to depression.

To help promote a brighter mood, avoid refined carbohydrates as much as possible.

Depression trigger #2: Low thyroid function

Depression is often an early symptom of a low-functioning thyroid…so it’s wise to make sure yours is working as it should and get treated if necessary.

Unfortunately this can get tricky because the most commonly performed test—a TSH test—doesn’t always give an accurate picture.

A far more accurate and sensitive test that assesses thyroid health is the “TRH challenge test” also known as the “TRH Stimulation test.”

If you’re being checked for thyroid problems your doctor is not familiar with the TRH test, many labs (including Quest Diagnostics) offer it. The CPT code is 83519.

Depression trigger #3: Lacking vitamins and minerals

Many people who suffer from depression are deficient in numerous vitamins and minerals, especially B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and magnesium.

Junk food, processed foods and fast food are grossly lacking in ANY appreciable nutrients, so avoid them at all cost.

Instead concentrate on eating real foods—fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, poultry and fish, dairy, whole grains, good fats—that will help provide all the precious nutrients your body (and MIND!) so desperately need.

Depression trigger #4: Lacking Omega-3 EFAs

Omega-3 essential fatty acids are crucial to mental health. Your brain absolutely must have them to function properly.

Sadly, many people are lacking these vital nutrients because of our heavy reliance of processed/fast foods, plus vegetable oils, farm-raised fish and meat from grain-fed animals (which are heavy in Omega-6 EFAs but have few or no Omega-3 EFAs).

In addition to eating fatty fish (like salmon), supplementation with an Omega-3 fish oil formula can help ensure you are receiving the necessary levels of this important nutrient. Look for varieties that have Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in a 3:2 ratio.

Depression trigger #5: Gut imbalances

Many people don’t realize this, but the gut produces the majority of the serotonin in your body, so if it’s unhealthy and not able to do its job that can definitely impact your mood.

Unfortunately, many Americans have diets that are high in processed foods and refined carbs, plus we take antibiotics and acid reducers by the truckload—and ALL of these can seriously impair your friendly gut flora, creating an environment that favors harmful bacteria, yeasts and other pathogens.

In addition to having a healthy diet, probiotic supplementation can be helpful to repopulate your body’s supply of friendly bacteria and support a healthier gut environment.

Depression is a growing concern for more and more people…and since antidepressants continue to be among the top-prescribed drugs each and every year, clearly something is missing in how we are looking at depression because the number of people suffering from it isn’t going down!

If you or someone you love suffer from depression, see what a difference it can make when you do your part and correct any possible underlying triggers or factors with safe, natural measures.