FOOD AND MOOD CONNECTION
Updated: Mar 18, 2021
The connection between nutrition and food is so closely connected it is undeniable.
Saying that we can disconnect physical health from mental health is like saying we can disconnect heart health from physical health. Sometimes we forget that our brain is an organ in our body!
Our emotions are completely tied to our physical health. The foods that we choose to eat (or choose not to eat) directly impact our health in all aspects.
Several studies have shown the connection between depression and inflammation in the body. (1) (2)
In fact, some experts in the field of functional psychiatry believe that inflammation may be the ultimate cause of depression.
A diet low in inflammatory foods is a wonderful place to start for people who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression.
One of the things that I like to take my clients through is a reset diet.
We take 30 days and remove sugar, gluten, processed foods, and dairy all while trying to eat whole foods (asking the “did this come from the earth or a factory” question is a great place to start) Plates during this reset time are heavy on veggie and meat is a treated as a side item (palm size portion) with healthy fats in the mix.
What I have found in my practice (this is also echoed across individual cases in other practices) is that people find relief from nagging emotional symptoms rather quickly.
This is not always the case for everyone. Sometimes heavy emotional stress over time can cause our brain to create well worn paths to a particular thought or emotion (Neural Plasticity) But research has shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help us change those pathways.
A Combination of CBT and Dietary Changes can greatly impact a person’s ability to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Charleston Integrative Counseling is driven by this model. Schedule a free consultation today to talk about how we can help you reach your health goals with our six-week proactive mental health program.