Understanding the Link Between Nutrition and Mental Health

Diet, nutrition, and exercise directly affect physical and psychological health. According to Health.gov, “There is abundant evidence that good nutrition is imperative to overall physical health, supports disease prevention, and offers cognitive benefits too.” Nutrition and mental health have many overlapping risk factors and potential symptoms or side effects. LifeSpring Home Nutrition uses a holistic approach to supporting mental health through nourishing meals and nutritional education.

The Connections Between Nutrition and Mental Health

Mental health disorders have the potential to affect a person’s appetite. Diet can also affect a person’s moods, behaviors, and emotional stability. For example, someone with major depressive disorder (MDD) may “comfort eat” to cope with symptoms, leading to weight gain and health problems. A person may also have unhealthy eating habits that result in malnutrition and significant mood changes. Hence, the foods people eat directly impact their brain function and mental health.

Some additional links between nutrition and mental health include the following:

• Individuals with mental health disorders have a higher risk of experiencing nutritional deficiencies.
• People who have poor nutritional habits may experience mental health symptoms caused by changes to their central nervous system (CNS).
• Dietary deficiencies and mental health issues may occur simultaneously but independently of one another.

Older individuals have a higher risk of experiencing co-occurring mental health disorders and malnutrition. According to BMC Psychiatry, “Mental health problems are among the most prevalent conditions in elderly people … Malnutrition is also relatively common in elderly individuals and may be associated with mental health, particularly depression.” Overlapping risk factors make co-occurring mental health and dietary problems common in older adults and individuals with chronic health issues.

Nutrition Affects Mood, Cognition, and Emotional Resilience

As the previously mentioned websites highlighted, research shows that nutrition significantly affects mood, cognition, and emotional resilience. People who are malnourished or missing critical nutrients in their diets may have a higher risk of developing mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression. In addition, caloric intake affects energy and a person’s ability to stabilize emotions. Individuals with healthier eating habits can better cope with daily stressors and other factors influencing their mental health.

Proper nutrition and balanced meals impact mood and behaviors in these ways:

• Whole foods, including fruits, fish, nuts, and legumes, help regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
• A balanced meal plan reduces the risk of obesity-related mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.
• Healthy eating habits positively affect gut microbiota, which impacts brain function.

According to Missouri Medicine, “On average, the brain consumes 20% of a person’s daily caloric intake, approximately 400 calories per day. [The brain] is composed of 60% fat, and contains high concentrations of cholesterol and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as Omega-3s.” Therefore, increasing these essential nutrients helps the brain work more effectively.

The Gut-Brain Connection

Gut health has a profound effect on mental health. Clinics and Practice states, “Healthy gut function has been linked to normal central nervous system (CNS) function.” In addition, “Hormones, neurotransmitters and immunological factors released from the gut are known to send signals to the brain either directly or via autonomic neurons.”

Probiotics found in yogurts and other foods are known to reduce symptoms related to anxiety and depression for some people by helping to improve gut health. A consistently balanced diet can also improve mental health by reducing gut inflammation.

Factors Influencing Nutrition and Mental Health

Multiple factors influence nutrition and mental health. Many people do not have easy access to healthy foods. According to BMJ, “[R]elationships between nutrition and longstanding mental illness are compounded by barriers to maintaining a healthy diet.” LifeSpring Home Nutrition ensures vulnerable populations have access to nutritional, personalized meals by delivering them directly to people’s homes.

Multiple factors have the potential to impact a person’s mental and physical health, including:

• Lifestyle choices like staying active
• Family dynamics and cultural expectations
• Exposure to chronic or acute stressors

Individuals who experience co-occurring mental and physical health issues often have difficulty maintaining a healthy diet without the support of outside services. These services can include home-delivered meals. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers individuals the nutritional support they need to manage their health during periods of high emotional stress.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition’s Holistic Approach to Nutrition and Mental Health

People experiencing mental health issues or emotional distress may have difficulty maintaining a healthy diet. Home-delivered meals help people avoid malnutrition and other potential health problems by ensuring access to essential nutrients throughout the week.

Community-based support programs also provide various helpful services and resources. LifeSpring Home Nutrition provides information about community-based resources, nutritional education, and comprehensive meal planning to improve overall health and wellness.

The meal plans are tailored to each client, ensuring they receive appropriate meals to meet their unique health needs. Registered dietitians (RDs) at LifeSpring Home Nutrition help people develop comprehensive meal plans that enhance their physical and emotional health.

A person’s mental health is directly linked to their physical health. Balanced, nourishing meals are essential for good self-care and help people maintain positive psychological and physical health. Nutrition also significantly affects chronic health conditions and a person’s ability to recover after experiencing a medical issue. The vitamins and minerals people consume in their foods impact every system in the body, including the brain, heart, and nervous system. LifeSpring Home Nutrition educates individuals on the importance of establishing and maintaining a healthy diet while recovering from the symptoms and side effects of mental health disorders. In short, home-delivered meals help people develop healthy eating patterns. To learn more about our services and community resources, call us today at (800) 798-5767.