Nutritional Psychology: Is food making you anxious or depressed?

Peak Revival

You know that hangry feeling when you haven’t eaten for a while? You feel irritable, anxious and your brain struggles to concentrate. You just don’t feel yourself.

When we think about mental wellbeing, we often think about the importance of meditation, yoga or getting enough sleep. But research has shown that your food choices might be making you feel anxious or depressed.

Today I’m talking about nutritional psychology and how our brains can mimic symptoms like anxiety and depression simply because of the food we eat.

The Role of Glucose Control

Let's start with glucose control, the first major internal factor influencing our mental health. Our brain's main source of fuel is glucose, which it needs 24/7 to function properly. If our brain doesn't get a steady supply of glucose, or if there's dysregulation, the body releases stress hormones to compensate, which can amplify feelings of anxiety and depression.

The Gut-Brain Axis

The second major player is our gut health. Our digestive system and brain are connected by the gut-brain axis, or the vagus nerve. When our gut lining is compromised—often referred to as leaky gut—it triggers inflammation that affects the whole body, including the brain. This inflammation disrupts our neurotransmitter production, leading to symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The Impact of Overthinking

Many women tell me their minds just won't shut up—they're constantly worried or overwhelmed. This habitual overthinking drains our neurotransmitters, making it difficult for our brains to regulate mood, leading to heightened anxiety and depression.

We often get stuck in thought traps, spinning in analytical loops that keep stress hormones activated. This burnout can disrupt brain activity and further drain neurotransmitters essential for a balanced mood.

So next time you’re feeling a bit flat, think about what fuel you’ve been putting into your body. It might simply be a matter of needing to tweak your food choices or quieting the mind to help regulate your body and get back to feeling yourself again.

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Buh-Bye Burnout