FOOD AND MOOD

FOOD AND MOOD 

By Dr. Pragati (MBBS, MD)

The link between diet and emotions stems from the close relationship between brain and gastrointestinal tract, often called the “second brain.”GI tract is home to billions of bacteria that influence the production chemical substances that constantly carry messages from the gut to the brain. Two common examples of this are dopamine and serotonin.Eating nutritionally dense food promotes the growth of “good” bacteria, which in turn positively affects the production of these chemicals. When production is optimal, brain receives these positive messages loud and clear, and one’s mental state can reflect it. Studies have even found that clean diets consisting of mainly whole, unprocessed foods, can help with symptoms of depression and anxiety.Some people who move to a mostly plant-based diet,often notice that their energy and focus are sustained throughout the day.A lot of the processed foods we eat are highly addictive and stimulate the dopamine centers in our brain, which are associated with pleasure and reward. When we’re feeling stressed or depressed, it’s often processed foods we reach for in search of a quick pick-me-up. During busy or difficult periods, a cup of coffee stands in for a complete breakfast and fresh fruits and vegetables are replaced with high-fat, high-calorie fast food. When feeling down, a pint of ice cream becomes dinner (or ‘;[we skip dinner altogether).

SUGAR- is a major culprit of inflammation. It feeds “bad” bacteria in the GI tract. It can also cause a temporary spike in “feel good” chemicals like dopamine. These spikes result in a fleeting sugar rush, followed by a hard crash.

WHOLE FOODS- Some studies show that preservatives, food colorings and other additives may cause or worsen hyperactivity and depression.The powerful nutrients produced by colorful produce have tons of benefits for the mind and body. Their nutritional properties are often contained in the colors themselves. 

FIBER- Plant-based foods are full of fiber which helps the body absorb glucose (food sugars) more slowly. This helps to avoid sugar rushes and crashes.

FOLATE- This type of B vitamin helps with dopamine production without forcing it to surge the way sugars do.

VITAMIN D- Vitamin D helps with the production of serotonin.

MAGNESIUM- This essential mineral helps with everything from nerve and muscle function to keeping a steady heartbeat. But it’s also vital to the food-mood connection. A mineral deficiency can hurt the bacteria in the gut and cause depression and anxiety-like symptoms. 

FERMENTED FOODS- Fermented foods are packed with probiotics, which are certain live bacteria that are good for the digestive tract.

Email: communications@heeals.org

WhatsApp: +91-7982316660

Mental Health in India

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Various types of mental illnesses exist, displaying a range of intensities and severity. They can be categorized into common mental disorders and more severe mental conditions. Mental health disorders encompass a spectrum, spanning from psychosis—indicative of chemical imbalances in the body—to neurosis—stemming from inadequate attitudinal learning during the developmental or formative years. 

Common Mental Health Illnesses include:

1. Depression1
2. Anxiety/Phobias
3. EatingDisorders
4. Stress

Severe Mental Health Illnesses Include:

1. Schizophrenia
2. Bipolardisorder (Manicdepression)
3. Clinicaldepression
4. Suicidaltendency
5. Personalitydisorder

Statistics indicate that 20% of the population experiences symptoms associated with mental health disorders. Half of these conditions manifest by the age of 14, with 75% emerging by the age of 24. Mental health problems can be influenced by a variety of factors. The interplay between the mind, body, and environment contributes to the development of psychological disorders. Some of these factors include persistent and prolonged stress, biological elements, substance abuse and overdose, cognitive patterns like persistent negative thoughts and low energy, as well as social issues such as financial difficulties, relationship breakdowns, and social isolation.

The discourse around mental health in India is still relatively recent, and persistent myths and taboos surround the subject. As per the National Health program administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 6% of Kerala's population grapples with mental disorders, while one in every five individuals experiences emotional and behavioral issues. The country is home to a staggering 60 to 70 million people facing both common and severe mental disorders. Disturbingly, India holds the unfortunate title of being the world's suicide capital, with an alarming 2.6 lakh cases reported annually. According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, the average suicide rate in India stands at 10.9 per lakh people.

According to the data problems related to mental health are stigma. There are a lot of factors . The main ones are :

1 Lack of  help. Due to fact that people can not afford specialists they are not able to get treatment.The treatment given by government or free treatments are not enough. We have limited workers and

Places where to go .

2 Mentality. Most of the people do not take mental problems seriously and as a result their mental

Health will get worse.

3 Individuals suffering from mental illnesses face a significant hurdle as insurance companies typically do not offer medical coverage for hospital admissions related to mental health conditions. For some, access to quality hospitals is unattainable due to this limitation. Effective treatment can be expensive, and the absence of insurance coverage further compounds the challenge, making it even more difficult for individuals to afford the necessary care.

This factors can lead to bigger problems . For example, not treated depression among females can lead to of low birth weight and preterm birth.

That is why our team is putting every effort to solve this problem . You can donate or join us to make this world better.

Join  HEEALS .We believe that by starting small and working with one community at a time, we can begin to make changes that will spread gradually throughout India, all the while working hard to create and maintain a self-sustaining society. We aim to facilitate the fulfilment of the millennium development goals, set out by the United Nations, by ensuring that every household in India has unimpeded access to proper WASH facilities.

Email : communications@heeals.org

whats app: +91-7981316660

written by volunteer-coordinator Kenenbaeva Janyl.