Nutrition and Mental Health

By Charlene Doak-Gebauer

In my practice, I specialize in allergies, ADD, ADHD, autism and mental health issues.  Many emotional challenges can be controlled through nutrition and better food choices. Emotional challenges can be caused by consuming food allergens.

When consuming allergens, the mood of the person can and will fluctuate. For example, if a person is consuming garlic and there is a sensitivity/allergy to the spice, they may have a manic type of mood or become very depressed and lethargic. The depression and lethargy may come after a manic type of condition. Many people are consuming foods that cause “bad moods” and are unaware of the effect of the food on their entire being, not just physical issues.

Too often, my clients believe allergic reactions are only a rash or sinus issues. They are the most obvious issues that the general public is used to attributing to allergies. The mood issues are the more common results of allergen consumption and the general public has little comprehension of this cause and effect on the human body.

In addition to food allergens, the brain chemical, serotonin, must be fed for mood cycling to be managed. Depression and anxiety cause a dark cloud for the person experiencing it. My clients will describe themselves as “always down and never up” or “I just feel dark all of the time”. After eliminating food allergens, people experiencing these symptoms need to feed their serotonin levels with the right types of food. If a person is avoiding pro-serotonin foods such as protein and healthy fats, or they are consuming the wrong types of protein, their moods will be unstable. 

Individuals should also have enough exercise to boost serotonin levels. Walking at least thirty minutes per day will help with boosting mood. Serotonin’s enemies are stimulants such as caffeine. They are the greatest enemies of serotonin. Artificial sweeteners (aspartame) are terrible for mood. Ingredients in aspartame will convert to stimulating substances tyrosine, dopamine, norepinephrine and adrenaline, which will only exacerbate anxiety.

Poor nutrition can cause mood cycling in most people. Good nutrition will help to stabilize moods. In my research and applications, I have found that changes in nutrition for pediatric and/or adult clients, has had a profound effect on mood stabilization. What you eat does affect your life, either positively or negatively.