Postpartum Depression + Mineral Connection
Major depression has taken a seat as one of the most chronic and most "ordinary" diseases, next to heart disease-as of 2020. (according to the World Health Organization). It's also twice as common in women than men, especially women of child-bearing ages.
The most common time for a woman to become depressed after having a baby is anywhere from 6-12 weeks, up to a year even. However, if your postpartum depression is not being cared for by a practitioner or you don't realize you're struggling with it, it can lead to postpartum depletion for years after having your baby. Once your body is in a state of distress and you aren't recognizing the signs, your body will do all that it can to survive and deplete you in the process.
So what can cause postpartum depression?
-Genetics as well as past traumas or experiences.
-Changes of your reproductive hormones
-Childcare stress, marital problems, low self-esteem, stress in life...to name a few.
-Nutrient deficiencies/metabolic imbalances
-Mineral depletions
-Inflammation-has an affect on serotonin (feel good hormone, located in the gut)
Just because our genetics gift us with the type of cells within our body doesn't mean we have to stick with it. We have the ability to change that through nutrition. Mental disorders are heightened when you’re deprived of certain trace minerals like, zinc, magnesium, iron, and copper. It's important to know where our minerals fall at all stages so that we can take the step to improve the quality of our cells, take back our health, and live a life that's not full of rage, PMS, Postpartum thyroid dysfunction, inflammation, and so much more.
So let’s figure out the connections between all these minerals and postpartum depression.
ZINC
This mineral gives a big punch for such a little mineral. It has it’s hand in insulin production, second highest transitional metals in the brain, metabolism of ovarian hormones, your liver function, behavioral development, protects from heavy metal poisoning, cognitive functions, regulates taste function, energy production, and so much more! In some studies Zinc is used for antidepressant therapy.
Forms of Zinc:
Organ Meats
Red Meat
Bison
Shellfish
Dairy
Eggs
Nuts
MAGNESIUM
Magnesium influences your nervous system, which is what our vagus nerve, parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems are connected to. Being deficient in magnesium is connected to having ample affects on mood disorders like, depression, behavior disturbances, irritability, and schizophrenia. When you’re depleted here, it will increase the risk of depression, especially postpartum. During prenatal the baby as well as your placenta absorb a large amount of magnesium and if it’s not being replenished well this can also increase the risk of postpartum depression.
Magnesium is required for your body to calm down and proper nerve functions. Surprisingly its one that is most difficult to obtain in food because of our depleted soil and we lose it the fastest when we’re in a state of stress. It’s important to replace your magnesium constantly!
Here are a few of my favorite ways:
Earthley Wellness- Good Night Lotion- here
Cooked leafy greens
Dairy
Avocado
Chocolate/Cacao
Legumes
Plantains
Brewer's yeast
Iron
Iron is a segment of your blood cells, supports energy production, and supports other enzyme production. Around 50% of women in reproductive age suffer from iron deficiency, where it highly affects mental health. For example, short term memory, verbal learning, cognitive function, mood, where it can lead to depression.
Nutrients with high amount of iron:
Red meat
Organ meats
Animal Protein
Cooked leafy greens-paired with vit. C rich foods
Brewer's yeast
Copper
Copper is another mineral that has many functions of enzyme production and neurological functions. When you see a deficiency of copper you see a decrease in dopamine as well as a decrease in energy production, and hormone production. Study can be found here.
Ways to increase copper:
Beef liver
Citrus (vit. C rich foods)
Chlorophyll
Bee pollen
Royal jelly
Oysters
Spirulina
*Before you start adding all these nutritional goodies to your meal, I highly suggest getting your levels measured. Check out below for how we can work together.
The increase of postpartum depression is based on a number of factors, though trace minerals are not be the only cause, it sure is front and center. If you’re someone looking for a more holistic approach to over come your depression/postpartum depression, it’s worth the investment to see where your numbers are.
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis measures your metabolic rate, how fast or slow you burn through minerals and detox those toxic minerals, as well as connect dots to how your mental load is fairing based on mineral depletions. Read more about HTMA on my previous blog post.
Ready to dive in to get results? Book your HTMA and consult below! In this consult you will get tailored care and recommendations based on your lifestyle and test results.
Have more questions, schedule a free 15 min discovery call!
Can’t wait to chat! Until next time!
based on pubmed article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3430492/