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Diet, Nutrition Closely Linked to Mental Health

By- Survin Kaur

Life style

Several deep explorations into the realm of human wellbeing have helped the researchers, to reveal some starling secrets that how far reaching impact,can food and supplement intake have on the overall health, especially brain and its nerve network. As per them, humans cannot afford to live comfortably if their brains do not function properly.

Many would not contest that you need to strike a balance between yourlifestyle and nourishment. Nourishment is an integral part of health regimen; it nurtures physical health; and helps in sustaining Mental wellbeing, but ironically many are oblivious about the relationship between food and mental fitness.

If that is your case too, it’s high time that you woke up to the reality; and realizedconnection between food and your brain and nervous system. Prior to this, not many researchers tended to tread into the of Nutrition And Mental Health with so much intensity as they are doing it now. The possible reason for recent intense exploration is perhaps an attempt to find ways to further improve quality of human life.

Over the centuries, medical experts have incessantly emphasized only on the physical fitness for quality life, perhaps because their understanding of the subject was limited. Even the erstwhile medical model did not give due importance to the Mental wellbeing; and it instead focused on the physical and mechanical aspects connected to the anatomy.

But, with the advancements made in medical field and its ancillary domains, the medical practitioners have started realizing the importance of Mental wellbeing in healthy living. The things have been changing and experts in various medical streams have started realizing the impact of functioning of brain in overall health condition of the humans.

It is now firmly believed that humans react and act, on the basis of the neurological impulses of the mind. It is the brain that decides whether the person is to remain alert; feel active, relaxed and happy,or face pangs of depression; feel down; and experience sudden bouts of unhappy feelings. This control of mind can invariably affect our behavior, ability to stay aloft and carry out routine work.

The recent discoveries clearly show that the brain is affected by the infusion of nutrients taken in with food. The nutrients and the chemicals of the brain continuously interact with each other. This interaction results in processes that monitor and control functioning of organs and limbs of our body. So here, we should always ensure that whatever we take in form of food, it should be adequately equipped with brain friendly ingredients.

Brain friendly ingredients help it to remain fit and function well; and for this, we need a carefully selected intake of Diet; Nutrition; and other vital ingredients - that may not be visible otherwise. Your food, as experts suggest, should have an appropriate content of carbohydrates; proteins; and fats if you want your brain to function properly.

Carbohydrates are essential component of nourishment regimen; they are loaded with numerous benefits; and have positive impact on the mental faculty; as they fuel the chemicals that enhance and sustain cognitive capability; ensure short burst and sustainable energy supply; help in sustaining memory, etc.

The brain is the biggest consumer of the energy produced in the body; and to constantly work efficiently, the brain cells, to function efficiently, need constant supply of sugar, but they cannot store the ingredients, so they depend on the blood to supply them with glucose; and this energy supply can only be ensured only by carbs.

Proteins, made up of amino acids, have always been associated with happy feelings; they produce endogenous chemicals - like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine- in the brain that facilitate transmission of signals from one brain cell to another; and then from those cells to the rest of the body.Serotonin regulates the moods; and controls various processes, like learning ability; blood pressure; appetite; and sleep patterns. Similarly, a combine of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine helps in boosting alertness and energizing the body.

Fats also have a great role to play in the Mental wellbeing as over 69% of brain is made up of fat. Consuming polyunsaturated fats, like omega 3 and omega 6 - linked to prevention of depression; DHA – assists in primary brain functions like memory retention, motor skills and speaking ability; saturated fats – preventingnervous system disorders, like dementia, can help a great deal in by boosting production of ketosis and acetylcholine; closely associated to energizing brain functions; and preventing disorders. 

Walking deeper beyond the macronutrients –visible because of exhaustive publicity - you enter the domain of those microelements; vitamins and minerals. Both these elements have intricate relationship with proper brain and nerve functioning.  

Vitamins help ensuring and supporting stable functioning of brain and nervous system. Vitamins, like B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12 and folic acid; Vitamin C and D are regarded as part of antidepressant Diet For Stable Mental Health. Each of the vitamins has proven its prowess in relieving stress; acting as mild antidepressants; and supporting normal neurological functions.

The minerals, the organic food based compounds, like calcium, iron, lithium, zinc and magnesium, etc. are the invisible content in Nutrition AndDiet,But a great recipe to wellbeing. Each of these ingredients have been known to play their individual rolesin protecting the nervous system from free moving radicals; and preventing nervous breakdowns by supporting cerebral fitness and functions. 

The next time, you think of choosing food that you think might help you; remember that Nutrition and Diet Are Closely Linked to Mental Health. So choose healthy and nutritious food, consumer appropriate quantity and live a good life.

Summary

Exhaustive research has revealed startling facts that Nutrition is Vital for Mental Health” “Diet, Nutrition Closely Linked to Mental Health. Macro nutrients, like carbohydrates, proteins and fats; and micro nutrients, like vitamins and minerals have a great impact on mental wellbeing.

survin

I am a freelance writer, with over 5 years of experience in writing quality content for various websites, magazines as well as blogs and press release. I love to write articles on a variety of topics and have vast experience in doing assignments for the following niches: 1.Health care 2.Fashion 3.Fitness 4.Personal Finance 5.Interior design and Decor tips . ...(Read More)

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