@SecKennedy said that ultra-processed foods may be contributing to the mental health epidemic.
Is there any evidence for this?
Yes! And a lot more than you probably know. 🧵1/
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Increasingly, epidemiological studies are demonstrating an association between ultra-processed food consumption and poor health, including mental health.
This umbrella review of meta-analyses reviewed the evidence, and found that the association with common mental disorders was MORE convincing than the association with obesity, heart disease, and all-cause mortality. bmj.com/content/384/bm…
This study of nearly 300,000 people from around the globe found that those who consume UPF several times a day are THREE TIMES more likely to have serious mental health struggles than those who never or rarely consume them. sapienlabs.org/consumption-of…
Can a change in diet actually treat a mental disorder?
Although the research is less robust than that for medications or psychotherapies, the answer increasingly suggests yes.
Ketogenic, Mediterranean, anti-inflammatory, and elimination diets all have evidence supporting their use as treatments for mental disorders.
How many mental health professionals are asking patients about diet?
How many are recommending changes in diet?
The science is finally coming together: mental health and physical health are inseparable.
Instead of treating different diseases and disorders with different pills, let's treat the whole person.
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This new research in mice suggests that glyphosate exposure increases risk for neuroinflammation, anxiety-like behaviors, biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease, and premature death.
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2/ Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, is present in many agricultural settings. Despite its common use, its effects on the brain are not well understood. This new study sheds light on its potential role in neurodegeneration.
The study used genetically engineered mice predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and healthy controls. Mice were exposed to glyphosate for 13 weeks. Even after a 6-month recovery period, toxic glyphosate byproducts were found in brain tissue.
The debate around low-carb diets has sparked plenty of myths, especially concerning their efficacy and safety. Let’s set the record straight with some evidence-based facts.
Myth 1: Low-carb diets don’t work for weight loss.
Reality: Multiple studies, including this meta-analysis of 25 RCTs, show that low-carb diets result in greater short-term weight loss compared to comparison diets. The results are clear—low-carb diets do work, especially in the first 6-8 months. …ubs.pericles-prod.literatumonline.com/doi/10.1111/do…
Myth 2: You’ll regain all the weight on a low-carb diet.
Reality: While weight loss tends to plateau after 6-8 months, low-carb diets are no different from other diets in this regard. Long-term weight maintenance is challenging, regardless of the diet. But that doesn’t mean the initial loss isn’t real or beneficial.
🧵 1/9 It's going to be extremely difficult to solve the mental health crisis when misconceptions about the causes of mental illness persist. Some believe the rates of mental illness can't be increasing—despite the data showing otherwise. #MentalHealthCrisis
2/9 On the other hand, there are those who argue that mental illness is only a result of trauma or social adversity. These perspectives, while important, overlook a crucial reality: mental illness can occur even in the absence of trauma and social adversity.
3/9 The truth is, mental illness is not just about what happens in our minds or in our social environments. Hormones, infections, inflammation, and other physical factors can play significant roles. But it doesn’t stop there.
Researchers at UC San Diego are developing a novel anti-inflammatory diet for first-episode psychosis (FEP) to address inflammation and metabolic issues.
Let’s dive into the details and see how this ties into ketogenic diet research for psychosis.
3/11
Inflammation is known to play a role in the pathophysiology of psychosis, even early in the illness. This study aims to create a diet that can reduce inflammation and improve metabolic health in young people experiencing their first episode of psychosis.
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Build Muscle Mass: Engage in resistance training to increase muscle mass, as muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue, even at rest.
3/10
Stay Active: Incorporate regular physical activity into your daily routine. Even small movements and activities (like fidgeting) throughout the day can add up.