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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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This Is Your Brain on Food summary
Uma Naidoo
A Guide to the Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, and More
17 mins
Brief summary
This Is Your Brain on Food delves into the connection between diet and mental health. Uma Naidoo discusses how certain foods can impact mood and brain function, providing dietary recommendations to support emotional well-being.
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This Is Your Brain on Food
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Key idea 1 of 6
The gut-brain connection
“Bad digestion is the root of all evil.” That was the opinion of Hippocrates, a famous physician who lived in ancient Greece.
Hippocrates recognized that there was a relationship between the gut and the brain. But it seems that modern psychiatry is still catching up, as we’re only just beginning to understand how important this connection is.
The brain and gut are physically connected. They’re linked by the vagus nerve – the communication channel between the two. This channel works both ways – the brain sends chemical messages to the gut, and vice versa.
But that’s not where the connection ends. These days, there’s increasing interest in the role of the gut microbiome. To put things simply, the gut is full of different species of bacteria. These bacteria help to produce brain chemicals, including dopamine and serotonin – chemicals which are essential for regulating mood, among other things.
So, if the gut bacteria is abnormal for whatever reason, it’s going to affect our mental health. And by that logic, we need to take care of our gut, which means – you guessed it – paying close attention to our diet.
Right now, more than 40 million Americans are dealing with a mental health issue. Anxiety and depression are on the rise. So, as the science shows that diet can affect mental health – and that there’s a direct link between an altered microbiome and disorders such as depression – isn’t it worth looking into?
In the following sections, we’ll explore some food-related recommendations for specific mental health conditions. While what you eat isn’t everything, it’s a significant part of the puzzle.
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What is This Is Your Brain on Food about?
This Is Your Brain on Food (2020) reveals the link between diet and mental health. For people with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD, cutting out certain foods – and replacing them with healthier options – can make a real difference.
Who should read This Is Your Brain on Food?
- People who want to improve their mental health
- Those struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, or fatigue
- Anyone looking for specific recommendations on what to eat
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