The Psychological Effects of Nutrition

Dr. Randi Fredricks, Ph.D., LMFT
San Jose Counseling and Psychotherapyrn(408) 264-3082

Among complimentary and alte
ative therapies for mental health, nutrition is by far the most popular and the most frequently studied. Food, dietary supplements and herbs interact biochemically with our physiology to create powerful effects on our mental health.

Food is something that many of ...Among complimentary and alte
ative therapies for mental health, nutrition is by far the most popular and the most frequently studied. Food, dietary supplements and herbs interact biochemically with our physiology to create powerful effects on our mental health.

Food is something that many of us take for granted. Because we have easy access to food, we generally don’t think about its immense healing power or the nutrients it provides. It’s easy to eat unconsciously without considering the nature of what we put in our body.

Improper diet and nutrition can eventually result in accumulation of excess fat, increase of blood acidity and deterioration of body's metabolism mechanism. This leads to fatigue, headache, insomnia, a lowered immune system and mild depression and anxiety. Initially, the symptoms are mild, but tend to get more serious over an extended period of time.

As health problems get more severe, depression and anxiety may worsen. More serious physical health problems may develop, such as constipation, digestive problems, fatigue, skin problems, hormone imbalance, anemia and obesity.

Food allergies are another common problem. Coping with the stress of food allergies places a strain on the mind and body, which can cause problems that range from frequent infections, vague aches and pains, and fatigue to serious conditions, including severe depression, high blood pressure, and even cancer. The toxic overload created by food allergies upsets the body's homeostatic processes by overtaxing the liver and kidneys, the organs responsible for detoxification and elimination. This causes a toxic accumulation that creates irritation elsewhere in the body, such as the skin and joints.

When general health is not improved, the onset of life-threatening health problems occurs. In addition to major depression, these include heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, arthritis, liver and kidney problems, and high blood pressure.

This kind of progression is not part of the normal aging process. Many diseases can be prevented with a change in diet and proper nutrition. When necessary, nutritional therapy has been shown to be health promoting, providing that the outcomes are carefully monitored.

Nutritional therapy has evolved over the years into a scientific and comprehensive healthcare system, preventing and restoring balance when illness occurs. Many chronic long term conditions that have not responded to conventional treatment are the result of underlying biochemical imbalances. These often respond well to nutritional therapy.

For many people, environmental factors and nutritional deficiencies are so serious that dietary adjustments alone may be insufficient. In these instances, high doses of vitamins and minerals - well above the accepted recommended daily levels - may be needed. In order to determine appropriate dosages, a nutritionist will order appropriate testing.

There are numerous situations that call for nutritional supplements. Anyone who has stress needs to have extras nutrients to reduce the oxidative damage. This includes not only pregnant women and older adults, but anyone who is under stress from work, personal issues, and physical exercise. In addition to the stress factor, some people don't receive all of the nutrients they need from their diet because they either can't or don't eat enough, or they can't or don't eat a variety of healthy foods. Vegetarians are the perfect example of this. Although some vegetarians eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, they may lack certain nutrients, such as vitami
D and B12, iodine and iron. B12. For people on restrictive diets, dietary supplements can provide vitamins and minerals that their diets sometimes can't.

Even if you aren't suffering from stress, illness, or any other type of disorder, nutritional therapy may be a good way to help you keep the good health you have.

To learn more about natural therapies for mental health, visit http://healingandwholeness.org.