National-Nutrition-Week
National Nutrition Week 2021
Think
about it. Your brain is always "ON". It takes care of your thoughts &
movements, your breathing and heartbeat, your senses — it works hard 24/7, even
while you’re asleep. This means your brain requires a constant supply of fuel.
That "fuel" comes from the foods you eat — and what’s in that fuel
makes all the difference. Put simply, what you eat directly affects the
structure and function of your brain and, ultimately, your mood. Like an
expensive car, your brain functions best when it gets only premium fuel. Eating
high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress — the
"waste" (free radicals) produced when the body uses oxygen, which can
damage cells. Unfortunately, just like an expensive car, your brain can be
damaged if you ingest anything other than premium fuel. If substances from
"low-premium" fuel (such as what you get from processed or refined
foods) get to the brain, it has little ability to get rid of them. Diets high
in refined sugars, for example, are harmful to the brain. In addition to
worsening your body’s regulation of insulin, they also promote inflammation and
oxidative stress. Multiple studies have found a correlation between a diet,
high in refined sugars and impaired brain function — and even a worsening of
symptoms of mood disorders, such as depression.
Mental
illness is serious. In some cases, it can even be life-threatening. If you are
struggling with mental health issues, talk to your doctor. Do not just try to
treat your mental health problems by changing your diet. Your doctor can help
you find the right type of treatment and support. He or she can also discuss
whether improving your diet could improve your mental health.
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