The Importance Of Diet And Mental Health

Mental health is defined as our emotional psychological and social well-being. It affects how one thinks, feels and acts. Mental health also helps determine how someone handles stress, relate to others and make choices. Maintaining healthy mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence and throughout adulthood. People who suffer from mental health disorders often see a change in one’s own mood, thinking and behavior. One in 5 Americans adults experience a mental health issue. One in 10 young people experienced a period of major depression. And 1 in 20 Americans lived with a serious mental health illness (Mental Health Myths and Facts). Factors contribute to mental health problems including; biological facts, such as genes or brain chemistry, life experiences, such as traumatic events or abuse, or family history or mental health problems. Optimisum allows people to realize their full potential, cope with stress of life, work productively

Cavanaugh and Blanchard-Fields (2015) state that there is research showing how brain plasticity can be enhanced through aerobic exercise (p.51). It is important that adults be active in their lives. A 30-minute walk or some type of physical activity will benefit them as the age. The text mentions a study done by Erickson and his colleagues in 2009 where they studied the effect of aerobic exercise on the hippocampus. They found that due to aerobic exercise it produced greater volume in the hippocampus. This is significant because the hippocampus is the part of the brain that is responsible for memory, emotions, and spatial functioning. The body does not only need physical activities to produce healthier cognitive functioning but also nutrients. The text identifies three nutrient biomarker patterns that are significant on the aging brain. These nutrients are vitamin B, C,D, and E, omega-3, and trans fat. the foods that belong to these nutrients are beneficial to the brain. Older adults should make an effort to include these nutrients into their diets. positive impacts these nutrients make are better cognitive functioning and greater brain

I have learned the importance of eating a balanced diet, and have learned that when you eat a balanced diet your body receives the fuel it needs to manage your energy level. By researching nutrition value, I have also learned that what you're putting into your body( the foods you put into your body) can also greatly impact your mood, including the fact that what you eat has an impact on your brain, including the parts that regulate mood. I have learned that Foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits, whole grains and vegetables, have been associated with an overall lower risk of depression, as have foods rich in omega-3 fats, such as nuts, salmon and other fatty fish. Another things I have learned by performing this project is the importance of healthy food in order to maintain a healthy weight/body. I have learned that foods are important sources of mineral compounds and nutrients required for a healthy body. I have learned that nutrients in healthy foods also have vital nutrients that strengthen bones, muscles and tendons and regulate body systems such as blood pressure. I have also learned that these foods are also rich in fiber, which may reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

In an article titled, “Feeding the Brain for Academic Success: How Nutrition and Hydration Boost Learning,” by Philippa Norman M.D. 2015, the author argues the importance of a healthy, well balanced diet for a student to function properly in a school setting. In this article, Dr. Norman talks about how the brain is composed of 100 billion neurons which drive our thinking, learning, feeling and states of being. She explains how important it is for neurons to have good fats, proteins, complex carbohydrates, micronutrients – vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients – and water. Norman walks the reader through the importance of these specific nutrients in order to drive the learning functions of neurons. She explains how neurons connect in the brain,

Brain health is included and it is not uncommon for people to overlook the importance of feeding and exercising the brain properly, just as every other part of the body. There has been a sufficient amount of data to support techniques that will help in reducing the risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s in particular. Among these are increasing physical activity, receiving treatment for depression, quit smoking, control type two diabetes, have a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, fostering social engagement, control blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and participate in intellectually stimulating activities. The research currently documented does not necessarily state that these measures prevent Alzheimer’s directly, but rather enhance the overall health of people, which in return aids in preserving brain health as well. Research is continuously being conducted on Alzheimer’s and other related disorders of dementia, but for now the most widely accepted methods of prevention are becoming and staying healthy. Proper nutrition begins at an early age. It is easy for people to disregard the importance of their health when they are young since their choices are not typically directly affecting them. This is what needs to change. People need to be properly educated on the effects that their current life choices have on them in the future. The foods people eat, drugs people take, and overall lifestyle that people live will affect their overall

Studies have shown that consuming certain foods may help keep the brain healthy and others could damage it. The article “Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease: What Do We Know?” (2016), observes how having a Mediterranean diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, little amount of red meat, fish, olive oil, low amounts of saturated fats, dairy products, and poultry, is known to reduce the rate of cognitive decline (2016). The AA Research Center poses another diet that has been studied to try reducing cognitive decline: DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) (Science and Progress: Prevention section, 2016 para. 7). DASH is similar to a Mediterranean diet in which it “emphasizes vegetables, fruits, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and vegetable oils” (AA: Science and Progress: Prevention section, 2016, para. 7). Therefore, diets with more vegetables, whole grains, and less saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, sodium, sweets, and red meats can increase the prevention of Alzheimer’s

For this assignment I am going to analyze the popular press article “ High-fat diet bad for mental health, may lead to depression” featured in Tech Times Magazine. During which I will examine their claim against the actual, scientific data in the Biological Psychiatry Journal. This analysis will provide insight on how popular press articles may misinterpret a study and spread false information to the public.

But from not eating healthy those risks go up. Eating the healthy foods that you should gives you the energy that you need to do stuff daily. An article in Health Magazine in 2014 called "5 Reasons to Eat Healthier that Have Nothing to Do with Weight" and these are the reasons. One result from eating healthy is having a better mood. "Scientists found that a higher intake of fruits and vegetables resulted in more energy, calm and greater feelings of overall happiness" ("5 Reasons to Eat Healthier"). Another result is sleeping better that usual. "Numerous studies have ties better sleep to improvements in overall wellness, and foods tied to better sleep include fish, whole grains, nuts, and dark green

Vitamins A,B,C,D,E,K are very important in maintaining a healthy mental lifestyle, and some major foods that contain these vitamins are carrots, meat, citrus fruits, seafood, almonds, and leafy greens. Some main beneficial foods I learned more about, were dark chocolate and avocado. Dark chocolate improves mood and energy by releasing endorphins and helps the health of the brain with magnesium. Avocados have many good fats, counteracting the claim that they are negatively too fatty. They also contain potassium and folate which both lead to better brain health and function.

Carbohydrate is a nutrient essential for energy production and the prevention of ketosis, a state where the production of ketones exceeds metabolism. Protein is a nutrient essential for its components, amino acids. Fat is a nutrient which provides insulation, protection and energy for the body.

In our world today, dementia is a rising problem in the elderly population. This study aims to find if the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) lowers the risk of developing degenerative diseases such as dementia, or if it prevents cognitive decline. There have been many previous cohort studies that have researched the correlation between the MeDi and chronic diseases. However; research determining how exactly nutrients consumed with the MeDi affect cognition and the possible development of dementia has yet to be completed. This study intends to specifically look at how five individual cognitive functions and dementia are impacted as one ages, by varying levels of adherence to the MeDi. The researchers recorded the subjects’ intake of the MeDi based on a priori; which is a questionnaire that lets the researchers know the subjects’ eating habits and exactly what food groups and macronutrients they are consuming to accurately find the affects they yield in the brain. Clinical neuropsychologists evaluated each participant for thorough cognitive results, to gain the most in-depth conclusions possible

Studies have indicated that exercise improves memory and cognition in older adults and we know nutrition at all stages of life has an important role. All of these ways to keep the brain healthy and even improve its health are, in a sense, external. What can the brain do to help itself? At what point in development should it start? This is not a question a parent thinks about for their child when contemplating their welfare. It is not something one thinks about as a child, adolescent, young adult or even mature or senior adult. There are more “important” things to consider than to try speculating on a future so far ahead as to whether a person is going to develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or dementia.

Mental health problems are believed to be the result of a combination of factors, including age, genetics and environmental factors. One of the most obvious, yet under-recognized factors in the development of major trends in mental health is the role of nutrition.(Associate Parliamentary & Health, 2008). Recent evidence suggests that good nutrition is essential for our mental health and that a number of mental health conditions may be influenced by dietary factors.. The body of evidence linking both diet and mental health is growing at a rapid pace ( Associate Parliamentary & Health, 2008). Recently, there have been a number of published studies identifying an inverse association between diet quality and the common mental disorders, namely depression and anxiety, in adults (Bellisle, 2004). Other prospective studies suggest that diet quality influences the risk for depressive illness in adults over time. The evidence indicates that food plays a contributing role in the development, management and prevention of specific mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease ( Associate Parliamentary & Health, 2008).

In the modern era of medicine, doctors have been making discoveries about how nutrition affects our mental health. They are making connections between the diet of an adolescent and how it affects their moods. An example that has been sweeping the nation, is ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’ (ADHD) is a ‘brain diseases.’ Commonly found in children in their adolescent stages.

Having a “Brain Healthy Lifestyle” (Bend, 2014) is made up of several different categories that include “physical health, brain fitness, and vitality” (Bend, 2014) as well as “balanced nutrition, stress management, and mental stimulation” (Sharpbrains, 2014). Our physical health plays a major part in brain function. Exercising our bodies, eating well, and getting the proper amount of sleep has a huge impact on our physical health. “Our brain requires 25% of the blood that is pumped by your heart. The healthier your heart is, the healthier your brain will be” (Bend, 2014). Cognitive fitness is demonstrated by uses of vocabulary, thinking, perception, and attention. It is crucial to make it a normal everyday practice to challenge our brains through new activities. Taking part in a cooking class or learning to