Diet and Mental Health

The food one consumes can greatly impact one's mental health. What is put into the body will cause many different biological processes to occur, including those that affect mental health. Research shows that the consumption of diets high in calories and processed foods leads to and affects a variety of diseases including depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions (Grajek et al., 2022). Consuming processed, high-energy, low-nutrient foods while leading a sedentary lifestyle will adversely affect one's health and lead to the development of mental health disorders. Many of the chemicals in the brain that prevent mental health disorders depend on individuals getting a properly nutritious diet (Grajek et al., 2022).

Being low on certain nutrients such as magnesium can affect not only one's sleep cycle but it can increase anxiety and depression. Research has shown that in 1900 the average American consumed 500mg of Magnesium and today the average American consumes 175-200mg (Greenblatt, 2019). Another nutrient that some may be deficient in is vitamin D, this one not only affects one's fatigue level but also affects an individual's mood too. It can make depression and anxiety worse and more difficult to treat if the vitamin D deficiency is not treated. There are many other areas that individuals may be deficient in, including vitamin B12, folate, and amino acids to name a few. All of these nutrients will affect one's mental health and can oftentimes make it more difficult to treat an existing mental health condition because there is an underlying nutrient deficiency. This is why it is so important to maintain a well-balanced diet.

If your mental health condition is not improving be open and honest with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider cannot fix or treat anything that you are not telling them. Please share all your concerns and what is really going on with your mental and physical health.