What we eat has a significant impact on our mental state and can create profound psychological symptoms. It is not uncommon for people to notice things such as increased level of energy or mental alertness after eating sugar or caffeine. Most of us know that it is the tryptophan in our turkey that makes us tired on Thanksgiving and many people have experienced cravings for carbohydrates and the temporary mood boost after ingesting them, thus demonstrating some of the simpler ways that food affects us.
On the most basic level, the neurotransmitters in our brain are affected by food. Carbohydrate cravings can be your body’s way of raising serotonin levels. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter in our brain responsible for mood, sleep and appetite. If our diet is too low in fat and protein, it can lead to low serotonin levels. Foods high in carbohydrates increase our tryptophan levels as well and thus why many people experience a calming effect on the body. Tryptophan creates more serotonin.
On a more complex level, one may experience a food sensitivity or food intolerance that impacts their mental state. This is a very common occurrence in our society that goes largely unrecognized. In food sensitivity or intolerance, the inherent chemical composition of the food has a negative impact on the neurotransmitters in the brain and its functioning.
Each of us is unique in our own body chemistry and not all foods are healthy for each individual. Depending on a variety of genetic factors combined with diet and lifestyle choices over the years, each body has foods that are compatible and not compatible with their chemistry. When the food is not compatible, it results in undesirable symptoms.
The impact on the brain may be experienced in a variety of ways, here are some of the most common:
-depression (may range anywhere from mild to severe and may include suicidal behavior)
-anxiety (may range anywhere from mild discomfort to severe anxiety attacks)
-attention deficit disorder
-hyperactivity
-irritability
-melancholy
-unfounded fear or paranoia
-rapid changes in mood that vacillate
-aggression
-euphoria
-rage or unfounded outbursts of anger
-violence
Some of the most common foods to result in a sensitivity or intolerance are the ones that are eaten most frequently and include the following,
-wheat
-peanuts
-cane sugar
-dairy and eggs
-chocolate
-corn
-yeast
-grapes
-beef
-chicken
-soy
-apples
However, its important to note that any food can be a potential sensitivity. Even unusual foods like sweet potato or eggplant. It’s different for everyone and depends on your own unique body chemistry.
It’s not just the food themselves that can result in sensitivities, but it is often the chemicals added in processing like, food dyes, preservatives, pesticides, fungicides or nitrates.
Many symptoms are delayed, which means they don’t occur until hours or days after eating an offending food rather than immediately after. For example, depression may occur the morning after eating an offending food instead of immediately after, so many don’t make the connection from the food to the symptoms.
With the help of a test called the ALCAT test, you can analyze your body chemistry and find out if hidden food sensitivities or intolerances are at the root of some of your mood related symptoms. Once the offending substances are identified, mental and physical health can be improved by eliminating these foods from the diet.
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