To answer the question of the headline, we need to look at the very specific connection between food and mood. Many people wonder whether a link truly exists, and they want more information to understand the integral connection between the two.
In fact, patients have visited a Temple emergency room wondering if their symptoms of sadness were related to their diet.
If you’ve found yourself wondering the same thing, please keep reading to learn more about this mind and body connection.
Seeking Help at Express ER in Temple for a Mental Illness
As already mentioned, you’re not alone in wondering what triggers a mental health disorder. In a recent study, the World Health Organization projected that by the year 2020, depression will be the second leading diagnosis for a medical disability. That’s a startling claim, isn’t it? So, apart from seeking treatment from an ER in Temple, TX for your concern, are there things that you can incorporate into your diet to help keep the medical diagnosis at bay? Fortunately, the answer is “yes.”
The Role of Free Radicals
By design, our bodies produce molecules that are known as free radicals. Although they are very beneficial in many ways, studying them has also shown that they can lead to cell damage, aging, and other problems such as mood disorders – particularly since they place the brain at risk. So, what can you do to prevent the damage occurring from this naturally-produced molecule? One suggestion is to eat foods that are rich in antioxidants such as beta-carotene from apricots and broccoli; vitamin C from blueberries and strawberries; and vitamin E from nuts and seeds.
Protein and Carbohydrates Can Be Your Friend
If you find yourself especially lethargic from your mood disorder, studies show that protein-rich foods such as tuna, chicken, and turkey contain tryptophan – an amino acid that helps the body naturally produce serotonin. Another source to boost serotonin are smart carbohydrates. Not sugary carbohydrates, but complex carbohydrates like whole grains. With the mood-boosting serotonin lift, a daily turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread might be a good dietary change to incorporate.
Don’t Forget About Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Recent studies have revealed that individuals who do not ingest enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diet may be prone to higher instances of a major depressive disorder. If you wonder how you can boost your mood by increasing your omega-3 fatty acids, look to foods like fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines, as well as dark, leafy vegetables, and walnuts. Doesn’t a salmon salad with walnut dressing sound like a perfect way to lift your mood?
