Nutrition & The Mind
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Mental illness in the form of depression is predicted to become the second most prevalent cause of disability worldwide by 2020. One of the most under-recognised factors in the development of major trends in mental health is the role of nutrition with nutritional deficiencies linked to mental health disorders and mental health disorders leading to nutritional deficiencies.
Workforce participation by women and particularly married women with children is now a normal way of life, and although women have benefited from changes in work and family roles, there has also been associated stress. The increased rates of depression amongst women have been, in part, attributed to that stress. Effects can range from apathy and disinterest in food to disordered eating habits and excessive energy intakes.
Diets high in saturated fat, sugar and salt are not only fuelling obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers, but may also be contributing to the rising rates of mental ill health.
Whatever your goals may be, my main concern is to ensure that you are well nourished; many of the vitamins and minerals contained in our food impact upon not only our physical health but also our mental health. Without an in-depth nutritional analysis of our dietary intake, we can be unaware that what we are eating is affecting how we feel and how we cope with life’s ups and downs.