Food Heals

Let’s talk about the connection between our nutrition and our mental health. Many people believe that our nutrition only matters when it comes to digestion and weight. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. As I discussed in last week’s “food heals” blog post, our nutrition effects every cell in our bodies. And therefore, effects every organ and process within our bodies. That includes the brain. 

Our brain is the organ in the body that makes you who you are. So, you need to feed your brain properly so that it functions optimally. 

According to a study conducted by the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, “an intervention of diet, supplements, exercise, and lifestyle may provide considerable benefits for all the conditions addressed.” The conditions addressed in the study were anxiety, depression, poor memory, dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, history of stroke, and multiple sclerosis. The participants were provided with a supplement, diet, and exercise regimen to follow for three months. At the end of the three month period, every participant who followed the protocol saw improvement in their mental health and neurological function. By contrast, those who chose not to follow the protocol saw no improvement. 

This study makes clear findings that proper nutrition and an active lifestyle play a key role in our mental health. 

Eating high quality proteins, plenty of fruits and veggies, avoiding inflammatory foods, and avoiding processed grains and sugars can result in significant improvement to our mental health. This positive effect on mental health was intensified when coupled with taking daily supplements and getting aerobic and resistance exercise at least 5 days a week. 

So friends, if you are one of the many out there who struggle with depression and anxiety or other neurological disorders, know that it does not have to be this way. You are not stuck in this darkness. And, you are not alone. It is within your power to heal your body and your brain with the nutrition you chose to fuel your body with. And, we want to do everything we can to help you heal.