Did you know certain foods can actually improve your mood? Functional nutrition shows that what people eat affects their thoughts and feelings. If you’re ready to understand functional nutrition therapy and how it can help depression, keep reading.
You are what you eat. Getting the proper nutrients is critical for your overall health. You could get sick or deal with mental health issues if you aren’t getting the proper nutrients.
Research shows that what you eat has a direct relationship with depression. In this guide, you’ll learn about the importance of functional nutrition therapy and how it can help depression.
Check out our tips below for more information.
Understanding the Gut-Brain Connection
The gut-brain axis mediates a relationship between mental health and nutrition. There’s communication between your CNS and your gut microbes.
We see this same connection with other systems in the body. These interactions also occur with branches of the immune and endocrine systems.
Gut microbes and intestine cells create signaling molecules. These molecules message your brain and influence your emotional and mental functioning.
Signals travel in the other direction. Your emotional and mental state can affect how well your future functions. The foods you consume regularly will impact your mental health.
If a healthy gut biome helps, our standard American diet hurts the environment for those beneficial bacteria. Begin eliminating some of the processed foods and junk food from your diet.
What Kind of Gut Molecules Affect Your Mental Health?
The gut microbes will create different compounds affecting brain function and chemistry. These natural brain chemicals include neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). All of these substances help healthy brain processes.
Gut microbes produce bile acids, lactate, and vitamins. These metabolites will get created by gut microbes. There are three pathways where they interact and modulate emotional behavior.
Mental Health, Depression and Probiotics
Probiotics can improve your cognitive functions and mood.
Some people even report lowered anxiety and stress levels. Since the microorganisms live in your gut like probiotics, try and maintain gut health.
Probiotics will produce and express different neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters affect sleep, mood, and appetite.
Sometimes, probiotics can even lower inflammation in your body. Learn more about how to reduce the inflammation in your body.
Eat gut-healthy foods like probiotic yogurt and fermented vegetables. Some fermented foods are sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, kimchi, and pickles.
Consume Whole Foods
Transitioning from processed or packaged foods to whole foods will benefit your health.
Eating whole foods that you buy from a farmer often has higher levels of nutrients and minerals. Most packaged foods have preservatives and are high in sodium.
Increase your nutrient consumption by consuming berries, dark green vegetables, and whole grains. Improve your gut health and overall energy levels.
Notice how you feel after eating your meals. People often report feeling sluggish after eating certain foods. Start using a food diary and track what you eat.
Understanding the Importance of Functional Nutrition
Did you find this guide helpful on functional nutrition? Certain foods can help reduce inflammation levels in your body and improve your mood.
Look at consuming whole foods and buying from local farmers. The closer the food is to the farm, the better it is for you.
You might also want to work with a nutritional counselor to understand nutrition better. A professional can help you customize your diet and supplement needs.
Would you like to improve your health? Contact us today for a free consultation. We would love to work with you.
With over 20 years in the field, Dr. Dody is a seasoned chiropractor specializing in Functional Nutrition, Neurofeedback, and the Koren Specific Technique (KST). His unique ‘whole person approach’ identifies the root causes of health issues, offering patients not just relief but lasting wellness. Recognized for his expertise, Dr. Dody’s treatments often yield dramatic improvements from the very first visit.
