Fatty foods could make us mentally ill

[buttmunch]

Modern diets of processed foods full of saturated fat and sugar have been linked to increasing levels of mental health problems in the UK, according to experts.
A report by the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) and food campaign group Sustain, said the reduction of fruit and veg and freshly prepared meals is contributing to the problem.

They have found growing scientific evidence linking the type of food people eat to mood and behaviour because of the way it affects brain function and structure.

Join the debate » Over the past 60 years our diets have changed drastically, with Britons eating far less nutritious fresh foods. We now eat just over a third less vegetables and 59 per cent less fish which is the main source of omega 3 - essential for brain function.

New substances such as pesticides, additives and trans-fats have also been introduced into our diets which could prevent the brain from functioning effectively.

The report changes in the way food is produced and manufactured have not only reduced amounts of essential fats, vitamins and minerals which are consumed, but have also disturbed the balance of nutrients in foods.

Memory problems

It suggests that this combination of factors has been linked with depression and concentration and memory problems.

Figures suggest that mental ill-health is now costing the UK almost £100 billion a year.

The MHF and Sustain said that nutrients could help improve the mental health of the nation and that dietary changes may hold the key to combating problems such as depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Alzheimer's disease.

Dr Andrew McCulloch, MHF chief executive, said: "We are well aware of the effect of diet upon our physical health, but we are only just beginning to understand how the brain, as an organ, is influenced by the nutrients it derives from the foods we eat, and how our diets have an impact on our mental health.

"Our Government cannot ignore the growing burden of mental ill- health in the UK and must look to nutrition as an option in helping people to manage their mental health problems."

Courtney Van de Weyer, researcher on the Feeding Minds campaign from Sustain, said: "The good news is that the diet for a healthy mind is the same as the diet for a health body.

"The bad news is that, unless there is a radical overhaul of food and farming policies - particularly on fish - there won't be healthy and nutritious foods available in the future for people to eat."

dailymail.co.uk

[Tiara]

You know, whenever I go through my 'don't give a shit' phase where I eat anything and everything I do find it harder to concentrate in work. And when I eat healthily, I feel more efficient and alert, its weird isn't it, I always assumed it was just in my mind.

[Barbara]

^^ It IS in your mind, since the kind of fat you eat has a direct effect on your brain

[Lani]

I know for a fact that if I dont take my fish oil tablets I get ADHD like symptoms. I also know that since changing to clean eating the bad despression I used to get doesnt attack me as badly. So yeah I really think that diet is partly the reason for things like the depression epidemic and the reason why so many kids are completely out of control.

[SVZ]

You are what you eat. It's simple as that, I don't understand why doctors/etc have been denying it for so long.

Everything that passes through you becomes part of you, and has an impact of you.

[shmucky]

Originally Posted by SVZ

You are what you eat. It's simple as that, I don't understand why doctors/etc have been denying it for so long.
.

Its because they dont profit at all from a healthy lifestyle.
I myself also used to suffer from ADHD/Asperger type symptoms and was told by health professionals that it had absolutley nothing to do with my diet and that it was literally all in my head, something that only a pill could cure.
Hurray for the internet where people can start to find out some of these simple truths for themselves!