Katherine Gail Kreidle is a wellness expert and yoga instructor. In the following article, Katherine Kreidle dives into the impact that diet has on physical health and cognitive function.
Everyone knows that eating healthy is the foundation of physical health. However, many overlook the importance of nutrition’s effects on mental health.
The brain accounts for about 25 percent of the body’s metabolic demands, so it is no surprise that the brain needs nutrition more than any other body part. The relationship between nutrition and mental health is bidirectional – what we eat directly impacts our mental health, and the state of our mental health impacts how well we eat.
Mental health is a significant issue worldwide. The burden of mental illness rivals that of all cancers combined, both in terms of cost and disability, according to a certain study. One of the best ways to combat this problem is to eat healthy.
Katherine Gail Kreidle explains that nutrition and mental health are strongly interconnected. What we eat can influence our mood, cognitive function, and overall mental well-being.
Katherine Gail Kreidle on Food and Mood: The Relationship Between the Two
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) conducted a study about how the public views the connection between diet and mental health. Over 2,200 adults participated in the study.
Based on the results, APA found that 81 percent of the participants wanted to change the way they eat so that it has a better positive impact on their mental health. Katherine Gail Kreidle says that 43 percent remarked that they are willing to make changes in their diet to improve their mental health.
The Role of Nutrition in Mental Health
The interconnectedness of nutrition and mental health has never been clearer, and science backs this up.
Dr. Deborah Fernandez-Turner, the Deputy Chief Psychiatric Officer of Aetna, says “It makes sense that what we put in our body would also impact our mental health. Good health is about the mind and body operating in harmony – both are equally important when defining one’s health journey.”
Katherine Gail Kreidle says that regular consumption of nutritious food, meaning a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and healthy fats, will help enhance mood, improve cognitive function, and combat stress. In short, when the brain is nourished by essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and minerals, it becomes less likely to develop mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
On the other hand, processed food not only leads to an unhealthy lifestyle, but also negatively impacts mental health. Eating sugary and junk food is associated with mood swings and increased risk of various mental health issues.
The Gut-Brain Axis
The connection between diet and mental health originates from the close relationship between the brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which is often referred to as the second brain.
Katherine Gail Kreidle explains that the GI tract houses billions of bacteria. These bacteria heavily influence the production of neurotransmitters that send messages from the gut to the brain. Dopamine and serotonin, known as the happy hormones, are two of the most common examples.
Consuming nutritious food encourages the production of good bacteria, which positively impacts the production of neurotransmitters. When the production process is optimal, the brain receives each message loud and clear, and this is reflected in one’s mental state. On the other hand, when there is something wrong with the production process, one’s mood will be affected in a negative way.
Katherine Gail Kreidle says that processed food, particularly sugar, doesn’t do any good for mental health. Not only does it feed bad bacteria to the GI tract, but it also causes a temporary spike in happy hormones like dopamine.
Dr. Fernandez-Turner explains that “These spikes lead to a sugar rush, which may feel good temporarily, but it will be followed by a hard crash.”
Nutrient Deficiencies and Mental Health Disorders
Deficiencies in nutrients like B vitamins, calcium, iron, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, selenium, and other essential nutrients have a massive impact on the way the brain and the nervous system function. Katherine Gail Kreidle emphasizes how this increases the risk of mental health disorders, the most common of which are anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline.
Sourcing food from sustainable and ethical places is important for several reasons, including environmental, social, and health considerations:
- Environmental impact: Sustainable food sourcing helps minimize the environmental impact of food production. It promotes practices that conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and protect ecosystems. By supporting sustainable farming methods, such as organic farming or agroecology, consumers can help mitigate climate change, preserve biodiversity, and protect soil and water quality.
- Animal welfare: Ethical food sourcing involves treating animals humanely and providing them with adequate living conditions. Supporting ethical animal husbandry practices, such as free-range or pasture-raised livestock, contributes to improved animal welfare, reduced suffering, and more humane treatment throughout the food production process.
- Social responsibility: Ethical sourcing supports fair labor practices and fair trade principles, ensuring that the people involved in food production receive fair wages and work in safe conditions. By choosing products from ethical sources, consumers can help promote social justice and support the livelihoods of farmers, farm workers, and food producers, particularly in developing countries.
- Health and food quality: Sustainable and ethical food production often prioritizes the use of natural and organic methods, which can result in healthier and higher-quality food products. For example, organic farming practices avoid the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, resulting in reduced chemical residues in food and a healthier environment for farm workers.
- Long-term food security: Supporting sustainable food systems helps ensure long-term food security by promoting practices that are resilient to environmental changes, such as climate variability and resource depletion. By encouraging sustainable agriculture and responsible fishing practices, consumers can contribute to a more secure and resilient food supply for future generations.
In summary, sourcing food from sustainable and ethical places is important for protecting the environment, promoting social responsibility, ensuring food quality and safety, and contributing to long-term food security. By making informed choices about the sources of their food, consumers can play a significant role in promoting a more sustainable and ethical food system.
Conclusion
It has been proven that nutrition and mental well-being have a strong direct connection. Eating well does help reduce the risks of mental health problems, but it’s important to note that there are other factors that influence mental health like physical activity, stress management, and social support.
To keep mental health in check, taking a holistic approach is a must.
