TMHS 546: Nutritional Psychiatry: This Is Your Brain On Food - With Dr. Uma Naidoo

Have you ever considered how what you eat impacts your mood? We’ve all heard jokes about how hunger can leave you irritable, or hangry. But like most cliches, there’s some truth behind the idea that your diet affects the way you operate and react to the world around you. You might already know how blood sugar dips and spikes impact your mood, but emerging science shows a connection between mental health and the way that we eat that is far more intricate than you might think.  

Our guest today, Dr. Uma Naidoo, packs a powerful resume. She is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, a professional chef, a trained nutritional specialist, and a best-selling author. Dr. Naidoo’s niche is Nutritional Psychiatry—a specialty that combines all her expertise and training. In her book, This Is Your Brain on Food, she elaborates on the complex, intertwined relationship between what we eat and our psychological and cognitive outcomes. 

In this interview, we’re diving into the fascinating science of what happens in your brain when you eat sugar, what to eat for improved sleep and mental health, and how diet-related inflammation is contributing to our poor COVID-19 outcomes. Most importantly, Dr. Naidoo is going to be sharing real-life, actionable steps you can take to improve your health and your future. If you’ve ever wondered about how your food can impact the way you feel, I know you’ll find this episode fascinating, informative, and empowering. Enjoy! 

In this episode you’ll discover:

• What the leading cause of death is for American adults.
• The role that our blood sugar can play in our communication skills. 
• How many Americans have prediabetes or diabetes.
• The relationship between food, memories, and mental health. 
• Why comfort food is discomfort for our brains. 
• The problem with sugar measurements on food labels.
• Why we crave sugar. 
• The connection between metabolic health and COVID-19.
• How the gut-brain connection works.
• The link between inflammation, the gut, and mental health. 
• Why gastrointestinal issues are a side effect to many antidepressants.
• The main reason why our current mental health diagnostic system isn’t all-inclusive.
• What happens in the brain when we consume refined sugar.
• The long-term effect that blood sugar disruption has on the human brain.
• Why awareness is a powerful tool to cultivate change. 
• The power of getting your children involved in preparing food.
• How diet can impact ADHD symptoms. 
• The importance of incorporating DHA and EPA into your diet (+ specific sources!)
• Simple switches you can make to improve your sleep quality.
• The connection between diet and libido.

Items mentioned in this episode include:

• Organifi.com/Model -- Use the coupon code MODEL for 20% off!
• DrinkLMNT.com/model -- Get a FREE sample pack for the cost of shipping! 
• This Is Your Brain on Food by Dr. Uma Naidoo
• Connect with Dr. Uma Naidoo Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram  

Join TMHS Facebook community - Model Nation 

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