We have already talked about mental health. Unfortunately, mental health is not something we can easily find in the harsh and stressful world of today. Psychological problems are widespread across the globe. Many of us have been victims of conditions like depression, anxiety, anger. Also, we have certainly seen people around us with such problems. There are a lot of theories about why these problems arise and how to manage them. In some people, there is a genetic predisposition. Many times, life events and painful life experiences, particularly during childhood, play their roles. However, recently, many experts have started to believe that what we eat can also have a strong link to our mental status. Now, there seems to be enough evidence that the relationship between diet and mental health is strong enough to be worth our attention.
What does research say?
Epidemiological research shows that a healthy diet can lower the occurrence of depression. In Europe, a study showed that the risk of depression decreases when subjects eat a Mediterranean diet with nuts. Healthy food also reduces the risk of anxiety. Some researches show eating processed food, refined grains, sugar, and fried food increases the likelihood of getting depression and anxiety compared to the time when people eat healthier diets with a lot of vegetables, fruits, whole grains along with fish and seafood.
A new field of knowledge
Our brain is continuously working, like all other organs in the body. All the functions of the brain take place through electrochemical reactions. Chemical ions and molecular messengers mediate all the physiological, cognitive, affective and motivational processes in the brain. All these chemicals have their origins in the large number of organic and non-organic molecules that we receive through nutrition. So it is no surprise that our diet plays such an essential role in our brain function. What looks strange is the fact that the mainstream of medicine has neglected such an effect for so long a time. However, today there is a new field called nutritional psychiatry, which is trying to understand how diet affects brain function and impacts psychological problems. It is also trying to add dietary changes to the traditional ways of therapy.
Today we know that a healthy diet is not only preventive, but it can also be therapeutic for some mental issues. For example, it has become clear that omega-3 fatty acids can help some people with PTSD and major depression. Or, we know that zinc deficiency can cause symptoms of depression. There are some cases of depression that have a lack of folic acid. Low vitamin D may also present with depressive symptoms.
These findings have not found their way into the daily practice of psychiatrists and psychologists. However, they show us how a healthy lifestyle, particularly a wholesome diet, is essential not only in the health of our hearts or blood vessels but also for our mental well-being. It is real. We are what we eat.
You can learn more about diet and mental health here
