Depression

Depression is more common than ever, and the average antidepressant shows only marginal benefit over placebo for mild-to-moderate cases. That's not a reason to reject medication — it's a reason to widen the toolkit. The physiological, nutritional, and lifestyle drivers of depression are often overlooked entirely in a ten-minute GP appointment.

6 takeaways from this chapter.

• The inflammatory model of depression — why chronic inflammation drives low mood in millions of cases
• Nutrient deficiencies strongly correlated with depression (B12, folate, vitamin D, omega-3)
• The gut-brain axis and the emerging evidence on microbiome interventions
• Why exercise has stronger evidence for mild-to-moderate depression than most drugs
• The role of circadian rhythm, light exposure, and sleep in mood stability
• Where regulatory peptides and cellular support fit into recovery

Anyone whose depression hasn't been meaningfully helped by SSRIs alone. People who suspect their mood issues are downstream of something physical — inflammation, hormones, gut, sleep. Anyone looking for a fuller picture than a six-week drug trial gives them.

Part of The Body Blueprint — 27 chapters across every system that matters. £6 per chapter, or £29 for the full bundle (save £133).