While the rest of the world, including academia and health food manufacturers, catch up to the latest additions to our knowledge of anatomy, let’s take a look at some of the healthier choices that have been linked to strengthening mental health, which is the first step in managing emotions as well. Keeping one eye fixed on proper nutrition and fuel should be more important than ever with the discovery of the additional command systems, especially when considering their location in the body. We need to first identify foods with properties capable of restoring and repairing gut health. From there, we must find out what the body needs to protect and nourish this delicate ecosystem that we are still just learning about. What we do know so far is this: There are strains of bacteria, as well as a link to cultured foods like yogurts that are assisting these newly-recognized organs to thrive. As research accumulates, the hope is that more products and manufacturers will enter the market with the common goal of boosting gut health, which will assist in maximizing the health of both body and mind. As crazy as it sounds, it looks like mental health starts in the stomach as well as the head.
Hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, we will see major changes across the entire landscape of health and wellness. But in real time, are there answers or solutions we can offer to those among us dealing with states of depression or anxiety right now? Answering questions like this can sometimes be tricky for us at The Greenlaw Report. Keep in mind, we are just the gatekeepers to the research out there. We are not suggesting or making claims for or against anything. With that being said, curing mental health needs assistance from more than one source. When addressing depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc., there are unfortunately no quick fixes. As of now, there is no specific diet or nutritional program in existence that has proven to relieve any of those emotions. If done properly, with real expectations and a professionally-assembled strategy, there is a good chance that integrating a proper diet into the overall treatment plan can help in easing symptoms over time. In part three of this series, we will identify specific foods and vitamins that have influenced symptoms in some cases. We will also look at foods that can exacerbate symptoms and should be avoided at all costs.
