By Marcy Boyle
Have you ever awakened feeling irritable, annoyed, anxious or panicked? Do you know of anyone who is overweight, has mood swings, is always tired, can’t sleep, has a lot of “down days,” is implusive, very distractable, forgets a lot, or has a “short fuse?” These symptoms are all linked to neuronutrient and neurotransmitter deficiencies and patterns. Thankfully, we can “modify these symptoms through dietary improvements…” according to Jack Challem, author of The Food-Mood Solution.
Dr. David Perlmutter, neurologist and author of The Brain Maker, agrees. “A diet high in carbs and sugar sets up an “inflammatory microbiome. Not only do our gut’s microbes control the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body that factor into mental health, they control our ability to absorb certain nutrients – such as Omega 3 fats – and manufacture vitamins key to mental health.” Vitamin C (perhaps the most important of all vitamins), B vitamins (especially B6 and biotin), magnesium, zinc, selenium, potassium and iodine need to come from your diet in optimal quantities that eliminate deficiencies and allow the manufacture of the key vitamins needed for mental health.
Carb loading (pastas, white rice, deep fried foods, breads and flour pastries) can actually play havoc with blood sugar and insulin levels too, making you feel tired and anxiety prone. Consider consuming healthy carbs (non starchy veggies) and protein such as wild caught fish, non-factory chicken, and pastured or wild meats. Don’t forget non-starchy vegetables are also good protein sources, such as broccoli, cauliflower, leafy greens, artichokes, peas, parsley, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, seaweed, peas, and mushrooms. Other foods, in addition to Omega 3s, such as onions and garlic, and yogurt or kefir with live cultures, can help balance moods, as well as stabilize blood sugar levels. These foods and spices also help: avocados, coconut meat and oil, cocoa, coffee, green tea, curcumin (turmeric), cinnamon and other spices.
When you change what you eat, you really can change your moods!
For more information, contact Marcy Boyle,
Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and owner of Celebrate Your Cells LLC
at 303-906-6197
