One in five Australians experience mental illness in any one year, with 45% of all Australians having experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime.
For those of us who have struggled with mental illness, or who have cared for someone who has, we know how much it can impact all aspects of our life, not just our thoughts.
With mental illness impacting so many of us in so many ways, why is it that we still treat mental illness by focusing on the mind alone?
When you are feeling low, struggling to fall asleep, or have difficulty concentrating, do you consider that you may be undernourished? Why not?
Consider this: Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that keeps you happy, is made from tryptophan. Tryptophan is an amino acid that comes from the breakdown of the protein that we eat. Similarly, omega-3 fats help build receptor sites for neurotransmitters, so that your brain appropriately receives serotonin (a.k.a happiness) signals. Therefore, it makes sense that if you are not eating enough protein or enough omega-3s, you may not be feeling as happy as you should.
It is not just protein and omega-3 fats that are needed for good mental wellbeing, there are numerous nutrients that work together to keep your emotions in check.
So next time you are feeling flat, are struggling to concentrate, feeling anxious or having trouble falling off to sleep, your diet might hold the key to helping you feel a whole lot better!
Not sure where to start? Book in for a free discovery phone call today!
