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Mood and food, what’s the connection? What you eat determines your weight, how healthy you are, how you feel and much more. Too many people eat quick, processed and sugary foods that are terrible for their body. This is one of the reasons that American is in the grip of an obesity epidemic. More than 1 in 3 adults in the United States are overweight, meaning their weight is higher than it should be to stay healthy. 1 in 3 adults are obese, meaning they are well over a healthy weight. Even 1 in 6 children are obese. If food is fuel, then how does mood and food work exactly? Read on to find out!
Mood and Food: How Does Food Affect You?
We have all heard the adage, “you are what you eat,” but maybe we have never really understood the science behind that statement that relates to mood and food. Your brain is impacted by everything you eat so unhealthy choices impact it and how you feel and perform.
“Your brain is always “on.” It takes care of your thoughts and 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,” says Harvard Health.
Serotonin and Your Gastrointestinal Tract
Mood and food are conncected because what you eat impacts the health and function of millions of neurons in your gut. Consider this, 95 percent of your body’s serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract. Serotonin is responsible for managing your moods, appetite, sleep and pain. The millions of nerve cells that reside in your gastrointestinal tract are influenced by the health of your intestinal microbiome. If your gut isn’t happy, you aren’t going to be happy. If you knew that you could affect your feeling of happiness by what you ate, would you choose to eat better? Now that you know that mood and food are connected, what choices will you actively make?
Take Our Online Health and Nutrition Screening to Gauge Your Health Status
Many of us don’t know our health may be at risk because warning signs may not be evident until real problems have set in. Getting ahead of health issues is of utmost importance.
After screening hundreds of patients Balanced Well-Being Healthcare has found evidence of the following problems:
- 80% of people screened were Vitamin D deficient or had suboptimal levels.
- 50% were Vitamin B12 deficient.
- 10% had immunological markers of autoimmune disease — thyroid and food related.
- 75% had moderate or severe cardiovascular risk –that is risk for heart attack and stroke.
Visit our website to take our Online Health and Nutrition Screening today!
Weight and Chronic Conditions
Beyond the topic of mood and food is the issue of chronic disease and what you eat. Too much weight leads to many chronic conditions and especially diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, stroke, heart attack and more. Studies show that being overweight makes men 5X more likely and women 4X more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis, excessive back pain, ankle pain and foot pain. Your body needs specific vitamins and nutrients as well as proper fuel for it to work properly. Even missing one nutrient can land you with neuropathy problems, aches and pains, hormone dysfunction and more. We can help!
Go Clean in 2019!
Try a body experiment in 2019. Rid your house of all processed foods and sugars. If you feel extra bold, try eliminating or limiting your intake of dairy and processed grains as well–some people report this also makes a difference in their overall sense of well being. Keep a food diary and as you bring back certain foods, and take them away, observe how you feel. Expect to notice some real differences! Why? It has to do with how your body processes what you eat. Certain foods are not as well tolerated and will cause inflammation in your system.
“Good bacteria not only influences what your gut digests and absorbs, but they also affect the degree of inflammation throughout your body, as well as your mood and energy level,” Harvard Health says.
Nutrition is paramount in Balanced Well-Being Healthcare’s Functional Medicine Package. Our master nutrition therapist and nurse designs new patient packages to help align diet with individualized treatment plans. Patients benefit from individually designed treatment plans for diet, nutritional supplements and lifestyle changes based on testing results to ensure you get exactly what YOUR body needs. Learn more about mood and food by calling 970-631-8286 today to set up a consultation. Make this new year your best ever!!
As a seasoned expert in the field of nutrition and its profound impact on health, I can attest to the intricate relationship between mood and food. This connection goes beyond the clichéd saying "you are what you eat"; it delves into the profound science that underlies the influence of food on our mood, cognitive function, and overall well-being.
Harvard Health, a reputable source in the medical field, emphasizes the continuous impact of food on the brain, stating that the brain, always "on," requires a constant supply of fuel. What we consume directly affects the structure and function of our brain, ultimately shaping our mood and cognitive performance.
One key aspect highlighted in the article is the role of serotonin in the gastrointestinal tract. A staggering 95 percent of the body's serotonin, a neurotransmitter crucial for managing moods, appetite, sleep, and pain, is produced in the gut. The health and function of millions of neurons in the gut, influenced by the intestinal microbiome, play a pivotal role in determining our overall well-being. This revelation underscores the profound impact of food choices on our emotional state.
Moving beyond the mood-food connection, the article touches upon critical issues such as weight management and its implications for chronic conditions. The obesity epidemic in the United States, with staggering statistics revealing that more than one-third of adults are overweight and one in three adults are obese, underscores the urgency of addressing dietary habits. Excessive weight contributes significantly to chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, stroke, and more.
The article advocates for proactive health measures and introduces an online health and nutrition screening tool. The evidence gathered from hundreds of patients highlights prevalent health issues such as Vitamin D and B12 deficiencies, immunological markers of autoimmune disease, and cardiovascular risks. This screening emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention in maintaining optimal health.
Furthermore, the article encourages readers to take control of their health in the coming year by adopting a cleaner, nutrient-rich diet. It suggests eliminating processed foods and sugars, and for those inclined, limiting dairy and processed grains. The importance of maintaining a food diary to observe the effects of reintroducing or eliminating certain foods is emphasized. The connection between inflammation, gut health, and overall well-being is highlighted, echoing the insights from Harvard Health.
In conclusion, the intricate interplay between mood and food is a multifaceted phenomenon supported by scientific evidence. The article not only educates readers on the physiological connections but also offers practical steps, including health screenings and dietary changes, to empower individuals to make informed choices for a healthier and happier life. For those seeking personalized guidance, the mention of Balanced Well-Being Healthcare's Functional Medicine Package, incorporating individualized treatment plans based on testing results, underscores the commitment to addressing health at a holistic level.
