Good mood starts with what you eat….
What you eat becomes you….. the food you eat today becomes the building blocks of the future you!
Have you ever considered the impact of your diet on your mood?
It’s fascinating how what we eat today can shape how we feel and react to our energy levels tomorrow. Food is not just mere sustenance; it is medicine for our bodies. As Hippocrates wisely said, “Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food.”
Our diet influences our physical well-being and plays a significant role in our hormones and neurotransmitters, which are crucial for determining our mood, sleep patterns, and stress response.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that have an action in the brain as well as other parts of the body. They act as messengers, influencing our mood, sleep quality, and stress response. They have the power to excite or calm us.
You may be surprised to know that certain foods directly influence these neurotransmitters. Serotonin, dopamine, GABA, adrenaline, melatonin, and others are impacted by specific foods, effectively shaping our mood and sleep quality.
By making mindful choices about what we eat, we can shape our future selves and support our mental and physical well-being. In addition, prioritising a nourishing diet allows us to care for our bodies and promote positive feelings and improved sleep quality.
The brain consumes over 50% of our nutrients despite its relative size. Interestingly, stress and depression can utilise more nutrients than physical exercise, highlighting the importance of nourishing and supporting our brains.
When we fuel our bodies with the correct nutrients, we create a balanced mental state, reduce stress, and enhance our ability to cope with challenging situations.
Diet plays a significant role in emotions and moods, although emotions can also influence food choices. It’s a complex interplay.
While refined sweets and sugary foods may initially provide a temporary energy boost and increase serotonin levels, they often lead to energy crashes and a drop in serotonin, leaving you feeling worse. This can create a cycle of seeking more sugary treats to lift your spirits.
On the other hand, complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains and oats, help maintain stable blood sugar levels and support serotonin production, promoting a positive mood and overall well-being. Choosing foods that nourish your health and mental state is key to breaking the cycle and fostering a better emotional balance.
Specific foods offer unique benefits for our nervous system and neurotransmitters. For example, magnesium-rich foods like nuts, seeds, green leafy veggies, and oats support nerve health, balance neurotransmitters, and aid in the functioning of our nervous system.
Vitamin C-based foods, such as oranges, mangoes, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and kiwi fruit, support our adrenal glands when producing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. When chronically stressed, the adrenal glands can become depleted. These foods help replenish the adrenal and contribute to the balance of other brain neurotransmitters.
Foods high in essential fatty acids, like avocado, olive oil, deep-sea fish, and spirulina, support nerve health and help regulate stress hormones. These essential fats promote a more balanced and stable response to stress.
These are just a few examples of how specific foods can support our neurotransmitters and overall well-being. Many more food options are available with various benefits for our mental and physical health. The great news is that specific foods influence specific neurotransmitters. This is where food as medicine plays a role!
If you’re experiencing symptoms such as low mood, stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, or difficulty concentrating, deficiencies in certain neurotransmitters may be contributing to these issues.
As part of my Naturopathic practice, I offer specific tests and questionnaires to identify neurotransmitter deficiencies for my clients. From the results of these tests, I can create a personalised plan to address these deficiencies through nutrient-rich foods.
Witnessing positive changes and empowering clients to maintain long-term health using these foods is incredibly rewarding.
Take control of your mood and well-being through the power of nutrition!
If you’re ready to nourish your body, balance your neurotransmitters, and reclaim your health, I’m here to help. Schedule a consultation and embark on your journey towards improved mood, restful sleep, and overall wellness. Don’t wait. Start feeling your best today!
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This is how gut microbes can influence weight!
Probiotics can help you gain weight or lose weight by interacting with our genetics, food and metabolism.
And yes, I did say lose or gain weight……..
Firstly, let me explain that the trillions of microbes in the gut need to be varied, meaning that there should be a large variety of species. There are many different species (or breeds) of microbes, and they all have their place in aiding health — the more variety and balance, the better health results.
Back to the weight loss or weight gain issue….
Do you eat yogurt and berries for breakfast? Thinking that it’s helping you lose weight?
Well, Lactobacillus acidophilus (like the species found in yoghurt) has been connected to weight gain.
I am not saying throw your yoghurt and berries in the bin. Instead, I am suggesting looking at the overall picture. If Lactobacillus acidophilus is the predominant micro-organism of the gut, then weight gain can result.
It is about the variety of species of gut microbes. Imagine if we only have trained german shepherd guard dogs in the world. It may be a safe world, but I am sure that other breeds may be more suitable as a family pet.
While Lactobacillus acidophilus is associated with weight gain, other Lactobacillus species correlate with weight loss.
Species like Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Bifidobacteria animalis have been found to support weight loss.
Want to lose weight?
Look at your gut flora to support your goal.
Tests can be performed to identify the predominant species of the gut, and specific species can be utilised to support weight changes.
Want more information about your gut health?
Or want to look at all the factors contributing to weight gain, I’d love to be able to help.