Supporting Mind and Body Through Lifestyle
FOOD + MOOD
Mental health, like physical health, is linked to diet. The foods you eat can improve or worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression. The good news is an anti-inflammatory diet can make a big difference in stabilizing your mood and energy.
We know that whole (unprocessed) foods and plant-based eating benefit the composition and diversity of the microbiome that lines our gastrointestinal tract. The stomach, intestines, and colon are host to trillions of microorganisms that regulate our mood and emotions through a network of nerves, neurons, and neurotransmitters called the gut-brain axis, or GBA. So when we feed the "good" bacteria associated with healthy brain, endocrine, and immune function, we promote emotional and psychological well-being via the GBA.
The Mediterranean Diet is one example of an anti-inflammatory diet. Widely celebrated for its ability to reduce cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure, and stabilize blood sugar, it can also help people manage and/or reverse symptoms of anxiety and depression. The Mediterranean Diet encourages people to eat a colorful variety of fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes, whole grains, and healthy fats (mostly extra vIrgin olive oil), as well as nuts, seeds, eggs, low-fat dairy, seafood, and poultry. Pro-inflammatory foods are minimized. These include sugar, processed foods, deep fried foods, and red meat.
More Information on Food and Mood:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gut-feelings-how-food-affects-your-mood-2018120715548
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mood-microbe/202105/the-worst-diet-depression
https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/nutrition/eating-well-for-mental-health
https://solaramentalhealth.com/can-drinking-enough-water-help-my-depression-and-anxiety/
https://fems-microbiology.org/gut-microbiome-and-mental-health/