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In this episode, we’ll be exploring the idea of how depression can correlate with diet, seasonal changes and the Five Elements from a Classical Chinese Medicine perspective. We’ll also examine the question: can depression correlate with vegetarianism and eating a vegetarian diet?

The Chinese Medicine Perspective

Studies have shown in the last few years that there’s a possibility that a vegetarian diet may be tied to a greater propensity for depression. As we delve into this topic, keep in mind that nutrition and diet are highly personalized. What’s on trend, or what might have worked for someone you know, may not work for you and your body’s constitution.

We’ll begin with a survey of the Five Elements, the seasons according to the Ancient Chinese Lunar-Solar Calendar and their corresponding organ systems and how they correlate with depression.

Fall and the Lungs

During the time of recording this episode, we’re nearing November 7th which is actually the beginning of Winter according to the Ancient Chinese Lunar-Solar calendar.

The Fall season is associated with the Lungs, and the Lungs are related to the emotion of sadness. Lungs are vulnerable at this time of year as they are the predominant organ of the season.

When the environment gets more dry, internal environments and organs such as the lungs tend to become more dry as well. This imbalance can lead to feelings of sadness.

Lungs like to be moist, so this is a good time to consider hydration through foods such as soups and stews, which are also warming foods that are really great to consume as the weather gets colder.

Winter and a Vegetarian Diet

During the onset of Winter, the coldest time of year, we can see how a vegetarian diet can accentuate depression and sadness for some people.

Diet directly impacts our mood and emotional experience, and Cold stagnates and is used to slow things down. We never really use cold to speed things up.

The experience of depression has a lot to do with Qi stagnation, and insufficient Liver blood to support or uplift your mood.

Cold temps in the environment during fall and winter seasons can always be a risk factor for your internal systems and, therefore, emotional well-being.

Yang Qi in Food

From a Classical Chinese Medicine perspective, there is an inherent nature to each food in addition to the physical temperature of the food. In the winter, people should focus on eating foods that are both warm in temperature as well as foods that are inherently warm in nature.

People with Qi stagnation generally don't have enough Yang Qi. You will commonly see this in people with hypothyroidism and their thyroids are sluggish.

Yang Qi is primarily found in animal-based foods, primarily in furry animals like beef, buffalo or lamb. Alternatively plants and vegetables are more Yin and cooler in nature.

When eating meat you increase the body’s Yang Qi. When looking at the energetics of the food, an example of the energetics of food, if you’re feeling cold or stagnant in life or if you're feeling a lot of sadness or depression, you shouldn’t be adding more cold to your diet. You should be adding heat, instead.

Vegetarian diets are more cold by nature, grains can cause dampness, but animal meats will provide warmth.

Diet and Wei Qi

Lungs are associated with the Wei Qi or the most superficial Defensive Qi.

The immune system aspect is supported by the Kidney’s Yang Qi, or core metabolic temp.

Wei Qi is supported by eating birds like chicken, turkey, quail or cornish hens. Bird meats can also have a warming and stimulating effect on Wei Qi so if you have a lot of allergies or if you’re trying to bring a fever down you may want to avoid making the classic chicken soup when you’re sick.

Skin issues can also be stimulated by poultry which can be inflammatory.

Wei Qi supports your mood. If your Wei Qi is weak, you really want to support your lungs. Fruits can help, including peels to relax the liver, so liver and lungs can be in harmony. Citrus fruits are also important and in season during the winter season which can help with hydration.

Always keep in mind that fruits are high in sugar so be mindful of the amount of fruit or citrus juices you consume. Vitamin C is useful for supporting the lungs Yin Qi.

Vegetarianism and Qi & Blood Vitality

For people who eat a vegetarian diet, who tend to be cold, who tend to feel lethargic, who tend to get sick easily and/or who tend to easily get depressed, it is encouraged to have some more meat in your diet, especially red meat to strengthen the core of your body and strengthen the Liver blood.

Of course, there is an ethical dilemma with the climate crisis and mass production of meats on the major markets. However, it’s important to be careful of making drastic changes to your diet without understanding the repercussions of how that can affect your physical, mental and emotional health.

While it’s important to eat less meat, it may not be beneficial to adapt an entirely vegetarian diet and to stop eating meat entirely.

It’s also important to make sure that you’re paying attention to how and from where you source your food, especially meat.

Interested in receiving personalized diet & nutrition support from Dr. Setareh Moafi? Click here to schedule a virtual nutritional consultation with her.

And be sure to get on the waitlist for the Yin and Yang of Nutrition online course coming in 2023! You’ll learn how to self-diagnose through tongue diagnosis and all about the energetics of food so you know exactly what’s best for your body. 

Conclusion

In summary, a vegetarian diet and depression can be linked and it’s important to have awareness of what most can benefit your body by taking an informed, conscious approach to diet and nutrition.

We’d love to hear your thoughts and personal experiences in the comments below after you’ve given this episode a listen!

Resources Mentioned This Episode

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