Food and Supplements From International Protein Can Boost Mental Health

It's also important to understand how some nutrients can impact mental health. For example, a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause apathy, depression and anxiety if left uncorrected.

20 Sep 2012 --- Food is a natural part of life for all organisms on earth. While people eat food every day, they may not understand how their food choices can impact their physical and mental health. Over time, the wrong food choices can cause weight gain, heart disease, an increased risk of cancer, depression, anxiety and a wide variety of other health issues. The following guide explores the intricate link between food choices and mental health.

The average human being consumes 2,000 calories every day. This amounts to over 700,000 calories every year. While it's possible to get one's daily calorie requirement through candy, hamburgers, pizza and other unhealthy food choices, these can have a variety of negative effects on the body.

Many people are familiar with the old adage, "You are what you eat." While many people may be familiar with this saying, they don't understand what it truly means. When an individual eats food, that food is incorporated into that person's body. An individual's entire body is made from food that he or she has consumed. While the body does a very good job at breaking down food into basic blocks of energy and nutrients, the type of food one eats can have a positive or negative effect on overall health.

For example, diets that are very high in sugar can increase one's chance of gaining weight and contracting diabetes. When an individual has diabetes, he or she can't regulate blood glucose levels on his or her own. If diabetes is left untreated, an individual may experience periods of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

Hypoglycemia is caused when blood sugar levels in the body drop below healthy levels. For a normal adult, this is a blood sugar concentration of less than 100 mmol/L. If an individual doesn't have adequate blood sugar, the body can't function normally. Since glucose is the body's primary energy source, a lack of glucose can cause a wide variety of functions. In addition, very high levels of glucose, as seen in hyperglycemia, can cause a wide variety of problems.

People with diabetes will often experience anxiety, mental confusion and depression when their blood sugar levels aren't managed correctly. Fortunately, it's usually possible to manage blood sugar levels by watching what one eats. In many cases, it may be possible to reverse diabetes through diet and exercise.

It's also important to understand how some nutrients can impact mental health. For example, a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause apathy, depression and anxiety if left uncorrected. While most people don't have a problem with B12 serum levels, it can be a problem for people who follow specialized diets. Since B12 is found in many different types of meats, vegans will sometimes have B12 deficiencies. Fortunately, it's possible to correct a B12 deficiency with a multivitamin.

Omega-3 fatty acids also play a very important role in mental and physical health. Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly found in fish, flaxseed, eggs and some types of grains. While the body can produce omega-3 fatty acids on its own, it usually can't produce enough to cover all of the body's needs. Because of this, it's essential to eat a diet that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

The human brain contains approximately 4.8 grams of omega-3 fatty acids. If an individual is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, he or she may experience anxiety and depression. For example, one recent research study looked at the brain cells of people who had committed suicide. In almost all suicide cases, individuals were omega-3 deficient.

In addition, omega-3 fatty acids may be able to reduce aggressive behavior in some people. In England, one prison tried supplementing inmate food with omega-3 fatty acids. Within a few months, the prison saw reduced incidences of violence between prisoners. Since aggression and anxiety are closely related, omega-3 supplementation can often reduce violent behavior.

In addition to mental health, omega-3 fatty acids can help improve skin and cardiovascular health. By replenishing the natural oils found in the skin, omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the appearance of wrinkles. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids may protect the skin from some types of UV damage.

It's important to understand the link between diet and mental health. By making the right food choices in one's life, it's possible to avoid a wide variety of mental health issues like anxiety or depression. However, it's important to contact a healthcare provider if one is experiencing severe mental health issues.