Improving Mental Health Through Diet?

Hey @guest_3459233, thank you for reaching out on the Forums!

Great question about gut health! I haven't tried it myself and I struggle to eat the right foods and exercise enough, but I am working towards it. I take probiotics as I was on antibiotics a lot recently with different infections. Not sure how it's going, but I heard it was a good thing to do.

I do know of this resource that talks about diet and MH if you would like to take a look: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWellAfterSchizophrenia.

I am diagnosed with schizophrenia, which is how I came across it.

Take care

RiverSeal

Hey @guest_3459233 , I totally find that what I eat affects how I feel. When I eat 'clean', I feel I have a lot more energy and my mood is lifted. It also allows me to do more exercise because I have more energy.

Probiotics and prebiotics, iron, vitamin b, krill oil - I find these all help me. But that's my body. I'm mindful we are all different so perhaps a chat to your doc will be good?

I totally agree that your gut is your 'second brain'.

Thank you for your support and recommendation @Now! How do you find this person helps with your mental health and diet?

I definitely find that eating wholefoods and moving my body helps with energy, mood, and overall mental wellbeing @guest_3459233.

It could be helpful to consider: when do you notice you feel the most fatigued or heavy? And conversely, when do you notice you have the most energy/feel the lightest?

(Looking at these things may help you to find some of your own answers - I would recommend keeping a journal for your reflections!)

Talk soon and keen to hear your thoughts.☺️

There’s evidence the Mediterranean diet improves depression… I have a feeling Deakin University ran a study on it a few years ago, but don’t quote me. (Remembering that one study is typically only hypothesis generating, not practice changing.) Everything else is “not evidence based” - basically, diet research is really hard, it’s impossible to blind people so placebo effects are uncontrolled… and there’s virtually no research out there anyway, because… big pharma isn’t funding it. But… placebo effects are significant, so if it’s not too onerous, it can be worth trying an intervention just for the placebo benefit.

Incidentally, I was in Central Europe recently, and thought it was a child’s dream - I was amused at the absence of veggies (apart from potatoes) on the menu. How we go on and on about the importance of vegetables here, yet they seem to manage just fine without them LoL and don’t have an epidemic of psychiatric illnesses as a result either. Made me 1) hang out for a few veggies, and 2) think we stress way too much about the correct diet.

I remember Putnam’s truism - twinkies (sweets) with friends is healthier than broccoli alone - that social support/friends is more important than a good diet, to living a long life. (Evidence shows this.) Doesn’t mean we can’t do both, but there’s a limit to what diet will do.

So basically if it’s not costing you anything much, and you want to try pre/probiotics, go for it! I’d recommend kefir or some other yummy way of having them, and see if it helps. But as to the mechanism, or confounds…

@guest_3459233

I've recently changed up my diet, previously I was eating meat everyday, whereas now I typically only have it 2-3 times a week.

Eating a lot more vegetables and grains, trying out new recipes and enjoying cooking again has allowed me to feel better about a whole host of things.

Obviously this kind of thing might not suit you, but if you can pinpoint certain foods that you not only like but are beneficial, you might boost your mood and energy levels.

Something else that is interesting if beginning dieting or just changing up your diet, is that the inclusion of occasional treats (chocolate or "junk" food) reduces cravings.

I treat myself to sweets or a pack of chips once a week and I rarely have cravings for less healthy foods or at all.

Also something to consider is if you're on medications, somethings don't mix well or can reduce the effectiveness of the meds.

All the best in your journey ❤️