Support for me

Food and Mood

Why gut health is important:

The link between good gut health and good mental health is well documented. Researchers believe that depression is not just a brain disorder, but rather a whole body disorder.
Poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, overweight and obesity, lack of sleep, lack of vitamin D, as well as stress are common triggers for inflammation and affect our gut microbiota.
Our gut microbiota has been found to be critical to almost every aspect of health including our metabolism, body weight, brain function and health.
The evidence shows that you can positively influence your gut microbiota by eating a nutritious Mediterranean style diet which is high in fibre and avoids processed foods.
A Mediterranean style diet has therefore been used to help prevent and treat common mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.

How the food you eat affects your gut (5mins)

How your gut micro-biome works and how the foods you eat affect it.

How the food you eat affects your gut

www.ted.com

The bacteria in our guts can break down food the body can’t digest, produce important nutrients, regulate the immune system, and protect against harmful germs. And while we can’t control all the factors that go into maintaining a healthy gut microbio…

The surprisingly charming science of your gut (14mins)

Dr Giulia takes us inside the complex, fascinating science behind the gut including its connection to mental health

Giulia Enders: The surprisingly charming science of your gut | TED Talk

www.ted.com

Ever wonder how we poop? Learn about the gut — the system where digestion (and a whole lot more) happens — as doctor and author Giulia Enders takes us inside the complex, fascinating science behind it, including its connection to mental health. It …

The ModiMed Diet

The SMILES TRIAL conducted by the Food and Mood Centre was one of the greatest studies conducted to demonstrate the positive link between the Mediterranean Diet and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The trial showed that participants in the dietary intervention group, who followed the ModiMed Diet, had a much greater reduction in their depressive symptoms over the three month period, compared to those receiving a psychological based social support intervention.

At the end of the trial, one third of those in the dietary support group met criteria for remission of major depression, compared to 8% of those in the social support group.