An Australian researcher recently published an article in the Journal of the Home Economics Institute of Australia pointing out, once again, the strong connection between nutrition and mental health.
Dietary nutrients are critical for brain structure and function, so they have a potentially profound impact on mental health. An increasingly robust body of research points to the detrimental effect of unhealthy diets and nutrient deficiencies, and to the protective value of healthy diets – along with select nutritional supplements as required – for maintaining and promoting mental health.
In his article, he listed the following 7 “key nutrients that may positively influence brain health”:
- Omega 3
- B vitamins
- Amino acids
- Minerals (especially zinc, magnesium, and iron)
- Vitamin D
- Plant-base antioxidants (such as polyphenols)
- Microbiotics (found in fermented foods like sauerkraut and yogurt)
He goes on to say that “while some evidence supports these natural compounds as having brain chemical-modulating effects, or having a role in treating certain mental disorders, we cannot currently name particular foods as being effective for the treatment of mental illness.”
At this point, the research is pretty clear, however, that the best thing we can do is eat a whole foods diet and reduce (or eliminate) sugary, fatty, and processed foods. Something we’ve written about time and time again.