Although our brain only weighs approximately 1.5kg, it is the organ in the body which requires the most of our energy, around 25%! So with this in mind, it's important we consume a healthy, balanced diet to help it function effectively, efficiently & aid good mental health.
So what exactly has nutrition got to do with mental health?
I'm sure you've heard of Serotonin... but if you haven't then Serotonin is often referred to as the 'Happy Chemical' due to it aiding in our happiness & wellbeing. This chemical is produced in the gastrointestinal tract, containing trillions & trillions of microorganisms and over 1000 different species of bacteria (The good sorts of bacteria!) These bacteria help to create neurotransmitters as well as protecting us against harmful bacteria & toxins, limiting inflammation & helping our bodies to absorb the nutrients from the food we consume.
Our brain & gut also have a two way communication system going on so much so that the gut is often referred to as 'the second brain'.....how cool!
To support our mental health, we should be eating a diet which mostly includes:
Vegetables & Fruits
Unprocessed Grains
Fish & Seafood
Lean Meat & Dairy
Unprocessed & Unrefined Carbohydrates
Probiotic rich foods (Tempeh, Natural Yoghurt, Sauerkraut, Kimchi, Miso, Kombucha, Kefir) Avoiding/ Keeping To A Minimum: Refined Foods Additive Laden Foods & Drinks Processed Foods High Sugar, Salt & Saturated Fat Foods & Drinks
Alcohol Intake
Omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, Phospholipids, Choline and Plant Antioxidants, including Vitamin E and C, are all beneficial when it comes to improving cognitive function
They are also vital for the makeup of the brain’s cell structures. Our body isn't able to produce many of these nutrients though or usually not in sufficient enough quantities, so it’s important to ensure we obtain abundant amounts in our diets regularly.
Feeling a bit low? Struggling mentally? Looking for something to help boost your mood?
You aren't alone, so it's more vital than ever to take care of your mental health as well as your physical health. One of my top natural mood boosters to include in your diet is... TURMERIC
A bioactive compound found in turmeric called curcumin has been linked to an improvement in brain health and memory retention.
Studies have also shown that curcumin has many cognitive benefits, including its ability to help manage depression!
Curcumin is also a powerful antioxidant, helping to fight inflammation, (depression has been linked to chronic inflammation) so therefore can help with symptoms of depression.
Its benefits don't stop there though....
It can also help to boost your Serotonin & Dopamine levels, the chemicals/neurotransmitters related to mood, feelings of happiness and the regulation of functions & processes such as your metabolism & sleep.
Even if you don't suffer from depression or anxiety on a regular basis, having periods in your life where you're under a lot of stress or your mood has taken a negative dive means your immune system can start to suffer & it can turn into a vicious circle where your mental health can cause you to become physically ill & your physical health can cause your mental health to suffer if not rectified ASAP. This is where Turmeric can also help you. Boasting a wide range of vitamins & minerals which help to keep your immune system strong (alongside a healthy, nutritious diet), daily consumption of turmeric can be hugely beneficial to both your physical and mental health (YAY!)
Looking for a convenient, tasty way to incorporate Turmeric into your diet?
Why not give the shots from The Turmeric Co a try. They ensure you get maximum benefit and absorption from every shot due to the extraction, ingredients & quality of the products used.
If you'd like to give the shots a try & feel free to use the link below to get yourself £10 off your first order http://rwrd.io/mvrlb3i?c
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