Bad food, bad brain?

10 years ago | Nutrition

By pH health care professionals

When you think about your diet, you probably think about what it does to your figure. You blame those quick French fry stops after work for your love handles, or you thank that kale and quinoa salad for the way you look in your little black dress. But while it’s true that what you eat affects your appearance, there’s something else you should know. What you eat may also affect your brain!

How exactly does unhealthy food affect brain health?

The lack of nutrients in junk food is the real issue at hand. The typical Western diet tends to be deficient in essential nutrients – especially vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids – that keep the brain in good shape. Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, which are found in salmon, walnuts and olive oil, are critical for your brain, according to an article published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience. Whereas the wrong type of fats (trans fats) found in fast foods can interfere with the brain’s process of sending impulses to different parts of the body, the article explained.

Growing evidence supports a role for poor diet in promoting mental disorders, including depression and dementia. A healthy diet is inversely related to the risk for both depression and decline in cognitive functions.

How does diet affect the brain?

There is evidence that an unhealthy diet is linked with depression and impaired cognitive function (problems with learning and memory, and in some cases, Alzheimer’s). Research is now showing that brains that lack many critical nutrients have smaller hippocampi (the area of the brain located near the center that is involved with learning, memory and mood).

Are you getting the nutrients you need for a happy, healthy brain?

The food you eat affects your mood, your ability to learn and your memory. So whether you are experiencing depression, a foggy memory, or you just want to be proactive and protect your brain health, schedule a nutrition lab test to ensure your vitamin, mineral and essential fatty acid levels are optimal.

Enjoy Your Healthy Life!

The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, attorneys, nutritionists, nurses and certified fitness instructors. This team also includes the members of the pH Medical Advisory Board, which constantly monitors all pH programs, products and services. To learn more about the pH Medical Advisory Board, click here.