Mental Health
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One in four people will suffer from some kind of mental illness during their life. Taking care of mental health is hugely important, and after decades of stigma, awareness of this issue is finally increasing.
Whilst mental health issues need to be dealt with by a trained professional, there are many things you can do to help promote your mental health. Mental health is of course linked with physical health, and it’s only when both are achieved that a person has complete well being.
Diet, or to be precise, a bad diet, can affect several areas of mental health, causing the following problems:
For example, a person who has missed a meal can often be easily distracted and irritable. If this is prolonged, energy levels can experience a huge dip, leading to changes in hormone levels, a lack of nutrients being transported to certain areas of the body, all of which can influence mental health.
In winter, many people tend to notice a dip in their mood, and often crave more ‘hearty’, warming foods such as stews, casseroles and soup to get them through the colder months. However, for those that suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), there are more serious effects during winter, which are not fixed with warming food. SAD sufferers experience depression and lethargy during the winter, finding themselves lacking motivation and energy. Symptoms include craving carbohydrates and sugary food which ultimately lead to weight gain and do not help to lift their mood. A nutritionist can work out a diet that will satisfy their cravings as well as maintaining a healthy weight as well as mood-lifting food.
Different food groups directly affect mental health:
Protein
Protein is formed from amino acids, and used for growth and repair around the body. Chemical messengers, mainly formed from amino acids, are used to transport information to other parts of the brain, included signals about mood. Whilst the body can produce some of these amino acids itself, some must come from food.
Main sources of protein include:
It is important that those on a vegetarian or vegan diet substitute dairy products, meat and fish for alternatives containing protein.
Fats
Whilst it is important not to consume too many fats, a certain amount is required to function well. Nerve cells in the brain are made up of fat, and need it to be flexible and work quickly.
Main sources of fat include:
Some studies have shown that those suffering from schizophrenia have low levels of essential fatty acids.
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals help the body to convert amino acids and fatty acids into the brain.
Carbohydrates
The body and brain run on glucose, which is found in carbohydrates. However, there are good and bad sources of carbohydrates. Good sources will release energy over time, helping you feel full longer.
Good carbohydrates include:
With such a wealth of information available on how to have a healthy diet, it can be overwhelming and confusing to know exactly what to eat, and how much of it. A nutritionist can create a plan to help prevent problems and maintain mental health.
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This content is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the advice given by any professional.
