It is good to know that there is a close interdependence between people’s mental and physical health and the nutritional components of their diet.
The explanation is simple and logical.
Your digestive process transforms foods, i.e. fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins into chemicals used in your metabolism. These chemicals will fuel all your body systems such as respiration, circulation and elimination.
An inadequate diet leads to insufficient levels of chemicals needed for the proper functioning of the body. For example, insufficient neurotransmitter levels such as norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin, so-called brain chemicals, will lead to anxiety and depression.
Obviously, you need a proper diet that provides a stable chemical balance and plays a very important role in relieving your stress.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ADEQUATE NUTRITION FOR YOUR HEALTH
Everybody has to deal with a lot of life stressors such us divorce, no job, no adequate home, illness, family problems and death.
However, regardless of severity of these stressors one thing is certain. These undesired problems will drain your energy and will take a heavy mental and even physical toll.
An adequate diet may help you and it can provide certain relief. It is well known the positive impact of neurotransmitters on your behavior and mood. A smart change in your diet will increase the levels of your neurotransmitters.
Different nutritional components in your food can have great benefits on your physical and mental condition.
NOTE: Consult your family doctor or nutritionist before making any changes in your diet.
1| Serotonin
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays an essential role in physical and mental disorders such as obesity, depression, concentration and aggressive behavior. Low levels of serotonin lead to an exacerbation of these conditions and you will give in easily to stressors.
A solution is a diet rich in carbohydrates that will raise the serotonin level in your brain. A normal level of serotonin elevates your mood, promotes good sleep and relaxation. You will have a satisfied feeling after eating (in about 1 or 2 hours).
Carbohydrates and Complex Carbohydrates:
– Sweets and Candies;
– Whole Grains, Pasta, Rice;
– Vegetables and Fruits;
– Turkey (contain amino-acid that will produce serotonin)
– Walnuts, Almonds;
– Gruyere or Swiss Cheese, Cheddar, Cottage Cheese;
– Milk and Eggs;
All these foods will produce and increase the levels of serotonin in your brain.
2| Dopamine & Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter, which mainly affects alertness, concentration, motivation and your energy. It is often associated with anxiety and depression and it plays a major role in attention deficit disorders.
You need a diet rich in tyrosine, an amino acid that will increase the levels of norepinephrine in your brain. This amino acid can be found in:
– Meat and Fish;
– Dairy Products;
– Whole Grains;
– Vegetables and Fruits;
– Nuts and Seeds.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is related to many disorders such as lack of focus, anxiety and different form of depression. A nutrition rich in tyrosine will increase the level of dopamine. Therefore, you need practically, the same foods as those mentioned above for the increasing of norepinephrine level.
Omega-3 fatty acid is an extremely important nutritional component that can have a tremendous benefic effect on bipolar disorder. Omega-3 can be found in:
– Fish (salmon, sardines, halibut, herring, cod), clams and shrimps;
– Walnuts and Flaxseeds;
– Spinach;
– Flaxseed Oil and Canola Oil.
