Can a person's diet affect their mental health?

Question

I have noticed that the user VioletPearl has replied to several questions that the chemical imbalances that cause depression, anxiety, etc. should be resolved by changing diet rather than taking prescription medication. I am not saying that she is incorrect or that her theory is not possible, but I have never heard this before. I have a degree in psychology and this theory is not consistant with anything I learned in college. Also, I have been treated for depression with meds, and none of my doctors have ever mentioned diet.

VioletPearl, how did you arrive at this conclusion which you so eagerly defend? If someone changed their diet and it doesn't help, would you suggest antidepressants? I am not attacking or challenging your belief but simply curious as to why you believe it.

To everyone else, have you ever heard of this theory before?

No, I'm not joking and my doctors actually have mentioned remedies other than medication (GASP) or have even suggested that I stop taking them if they weren't working. My psychiatrist has also inquired about what I eat, and came to the conclusion that my diet is very healthy.
And yes, doctors are aware of low blood sugar. Ever heard of people being treated for diabetes?
So I am afraid I cannot subscribe to your theory in full. I tend to have more faith in the medical professionals than a random person on the internet.
I also cannot believe that doctors aren't required to study nutrition. My sister is a nurse and she had to study nutrition.

There may be some truth to this theory but it doesn't mean that antidepressants aren't necessary.

Answer 1

This isn't as daft as it sounds!

Take attention deficit disorder - usually caused by an imbalance after consumption of junk foods and additives.

Avoid fizzy drinks - apart from the sugar rush, the caffeine hit, and other stuff, one of the most damaging things about colas for instance is the phosphoric acid they contain - it reacts with calcium in the bones, and can lead to osteoporosis in later life.

OK, so what about mental health - there were never so many reported instances of this sort when processed food was unheard of. Is processed food therefore good or bad?

It's neither, it is simply convenient, but not natural. It is hardly surprising that there is a correlation between the growth of mental illness and fast food consumption.

What you learn in college is principally to enable you to pass exams, then it creates a basis for gathering of knowledge, but it does not mean that what you have been witnessing will remain current thinking on the subject in 10, 20 or 50 years time, as understanding changes with increasing rapidity. Perhaps doctors should place more emphasis on dietary needs and not the enriching of the coffers of the pharmaceutical industry.

Answer 2

I hate doctors, drugs and our health care system! I went to a doctor back in 1992 - long before these SSRI drugs came on the market- with panic attacks, anxiety, heart racing, feeling faint, mood problems, and fatigue. I can't even begin to describe how much damage that doctor cause me by her asinine solutions. I specifically SAID to the doctor, I think I'm hypoglycemic and she laughed at me!!! I then went to 5 other doctor looking for help. I was even told I had HIV! Eventually, Paxil came on the market and I was given it. I took that horrible Paxil poison for 6 years because I couldn't tolerate the withdrawals. It numbed my anxiety problem, but I gained 70 pounds and became a zombie and had other side effects.
Anyway so when I was finally able to take a year to get off Paxil, I still felt horrible. I paid out of pocket nearly $1000 to go to a non-insurance approved wellness clinic because I refused to get on any more antidepressants. First thing they did was what no other doctor had EVER done and that was look at my blood, my diet and my hormones. Since Jan 1st, I have been on a sugar free diet and you cannot believe the difference in my life. In fact, I binged on cake and went over the deep end, which I posted here http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqzRf7WoqMgDvRCGqYxwIvPsy6IX?qid=20070129135629AA3POF7
Eating a different diet, on a schedule that keeps me balanced has CURED my crying jags, mood swings, anger, anxiety, really bad panic attacks, and all kinds of other things. You can't believe how much I have changed. I lost weight, my skin is clear, my nails are even growing longer. I feel very sorry for people who get sucked into the drug scene without ever looking at what they eat.

Answer 3

You're joking, right? You truly don't know how the human body works to utilize the food you give it to create muscles, blood cells, amino acids, hormones, healthy bones, joints, clear vision, tissues, skin, immune system...??
I mean-- seriously-- you feed a baby proper nutrition why? So it can grow up healthy and strong. You give your dog Iams Premium Dog food why? So the dog is healthy. You give yourself pizza, coke, candy, chips, McDonalds and you wonder why you feel like crap?

Your neurotransmitters are made up of amino acids, so how do you think your body builds these things? Magic? Drugs? Wishful thinking? The nutrients in foods are precursors to neurotransmitters, and depending on the amount of precursors present in the food you eat, the more or less of a certain neurotransmitter is produced.

Use common sense here: your body can only use what it's given (fed) to build what's inside: bones, "chemicals", hormones, muscle, etc. It's not some freaky theory- it's using common sense.
Furthermore, look at what most Americans eat in a typical day and it's 99% crap loaded with chemicals, dyes, sugars, corn syrups, flavorings, and most of the ingredients you can't even pronounce. If you eat chemicals like Dimethypolysiloxane, Disodium Phosphate, Sulfur Dioxide, Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrate-- common food additives-- do ya think you're causing a chemical imbalance?

Someone needs to change their diet and keep at it for the rest of their life, but people prefer to take a pill, and then try another pill, and then try Prozac and then switch to Lexapro, and that doesn't "work" so they try Paxil.

I challenge anyone to follow my advice for 4 months- make a serious, committed decision-- and I can guarantee you will feel like a new person. But it's just so much easier to eat cookies than to eat an orange.

Your doctors don't mention diet for 2 reasons: 1-they are not required to study nutrition in medical school, and 2-Drug companies spend multi-millions of dollars "teaching" them how to dispense their products.

PS- these symptoms: Fatigue, insomnia, mental confusion, nervousness, mood swings, anxiety, faintness, headaches, depression, phobias, heart palpitations, a craving for sweets, cold hands and feet, forgetfulness, dizziness, blurred vision, inner trembling, outbursts of temper, sudden hunger , allergies, crying spells are the most common symptoms of low blood sugar. BUT if you told your doctor about these symptoms, you'd get anti-depressants.

Answer 4

Yes.
Change of diet can't take the place of antidepressants. But I had a counselor a few years back who was not only a therapist, but a drug rep; this guy really knew his brain functions. He advised me to NEVER eliminate carbohydrates from my diet, as he said that they were excellent for serotonin production. (He claimed that depression was often a side effect of the Atkins diet for this reason.)
And as we all know, serotonin production is exactly what depressed individuals need. I take the antidepressant Paxil, which has changed my life, but I'm still scarfing carbs as well.

Answer 5

Hello Daisylili. I have also heard that diet has to do with depression and anxiety. I onced saw a TV program in which two people made a research and they found most mental illnesses could be treated with vitamins. They launched a product to the market that had several vitamins and minerals and people who took them diminished their symptoms. This is why it is so important to read a lot, research and keep updated. [e-mail]

Answer 6

It seems two things are being confused. Sure, what you eat can affect your mood, such as in low blood sugar or food allergies. However depression requires professional help, not a diet change. It's confusing apples with oranges.

Answer 7

some foods have natural things in them that scientists can't recreate. and, if you want something a little more theretical, you can't pack sunshine into a pill. it's gotta come from natures goodness. and if you're feeling down, i suggest chocolate and a good book. cocoa beans do wonders.

Answer 8

I've heard of it. Some foods, like chocolate, can improve your mood and may even help with depression.

Answer 9

of course, if their mental health was A+ to begin with, then they wouldnt feel like they needed to diet, unless it was to please themselves only and not their surrounding public.

Answer 10

absolutely...food is your regular medicine...doctors are taught in institution (Med school) that were created by big pharma years ago....all they teach is drugs and surgery

Diet is the real key