food and mental health Archives - Amazing Health Advances

RFK Jr. Takes on Big Pharma: How Diet Could End the Antidepressant Era

The AHA! Team — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 05:09:23 +0000

Cassie B. via Natural News – In a bold move that could upend the $15 billion antidepressant industry, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is spotlighting groundbreaking research linking poor diet to mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Linking poor diets to mental health disorders Robert F. Kennedy Jr. highlights research linking poor diets to mental health disorders, challenging the $15 billion antidepressant industry. Studies show diets high in sugar and saturated fats alter brain chemistry, reducing grey matter and disrupting neurotransmitters tied to depression and anxiety. Kennedy argues that toxic food ingredients fuel mental health crises, while Big Pharma profits from treating the fallout with medications. A growing movement for cleaner food is emerging, with restaurants replacing harmful ingredients in response to consumer demand. Upend a $15 billion antidepressant industry? In a bold move that could upend the $15 billion antidepressant industry, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is spotlighting groundbreaking research linking poor diet to mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Drawing on studies from Stanford, Harvard, and other institutions, Kennedy argues that the toxic ingredients in America’s food supply are fueling a mental health crisis—and that Big Pharma is profiting from the fallout. With 40% of U.S. teenagers now struggling with anxiety or depression, Kennedy’s message is resonating: food is medicine, and changing what we eat could be the key to healing. The science behind the connection Recent studies reveal that a poor-quality diet—high in sugar, saturated fats, and ultra-processed foods—can alter brain chemistry and structure, leading to mental health issues. Research from the University of Reading found that unhealthy diets reduce grey matter volume and disrupt neurotransmitter levels in the brain, particularly gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. These changes are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety, including rumination, a hallmark of mental health disorders. We can eat ourselves well! Dr. Piril Hepsomali, a lead researcher on the study, explained, “We can eat ourselves well! Ultimately, we see that people who have an unhealthy diet – high in sugar and saturated fat – have imbalanced excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, as well as reduced volume of grey matter in the frontal part of the brain.” Kennedy has been vocal about these findings, telling Fox News, “There are studies coming out of Stanford and Harvard that show a lot of mental illness, including anxiety and depression, are related to food… Food is medicine. By changing your diet, you can lose some of those diagnoses.” Threatening Big Pharma profits The implications of this research are seismic. If diet is a primary driver of mental health issues, the demand for antidepressants—a cornerstone of Big Pharma’s profits—could plummet. Kennedy has criticized the pharmaceutical industry for perpetuating the narrative that mental health problems are solely a matter of brain chemistry, requiring medication. “We are letting down these kids. And there is a moral issue here… it’s a financial issue. Health care costs are going to sink us. And the only way that we’re going to solve it is by changing what we eat,” he said. The stakes are high. In the U.S., 40% of adults are obese, compared to just 5% in Japan, where life expectancy is seven years longer on average. Over 1,000 ingredients banned in Europe are still allowed in America’s food supply, contributing to a toxic diet that Kennedy argues is making people sick—and Big Pharma rich. A growing movement for cleaner food Kennedy’s campaign is already sparking change. Restaurant chains like Steak ’n Shake and Sweetgreen are ditching harmful seed oils in favor of healthier alternatives like beef tallow and avocado oil. Outback Steakhouse is also reportedly reevaluating its ingredients in response to consumer demand for cleaner food. A shift reflects a broader awakening This shift reflects a broader awakening to the connection between diet and mental health. Many people think antidepressants are the solution to depression, but it’s time to shine a spotlight on the significant role diet plays in mental health. RFK Jr.’s crusade against Big Pharma and toxic food is more than a critique—it’s a call to action. By highlighting the link between diet and mental health, he is challenging Americans to rethink their relationship with food and demand accountability from corporations that prioritize profits over public health. As the science continues to mount, it is becoming increasingly clear that the path to better mental health may start on our plates, not in a pill bottle. Sources for this article include: Modernity.news NeuroscienceNews.com NYPost.com Health.Harvard.edu To read the original article, click here

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Ancient Herb Shows Promise in Fighting Dementia

The AHA! Team — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 06:16:14 +0000

Osaka Metropolitan University via News-Medical – Attempts to discover a breakthrough dementia drug might be drawing attention these days, but traditional medicinal products can offer hints for preventive medicine. Traditional medicinal products can offer hints for preventive medicine A research group led by Specially Appointed Professor Takami Tomiyama of Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Medicine has found that administering the dried seeds of a type of jujube called Ziziphus jujuba Miller var. spinosa, used as a medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine, holds promise in restoring cognitive and motor function in model mice. By administering hot water extracts of Zizyphi spinosi semen to model mice with Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia with Lewy bodies, the team found that cognitive and motor functions were restored. Furthermore, when the seeds were simply crushed into powder and administered to the model mice, the team discovered that the cognitive function of the model mice recovered to a level above that of control mice. In addition, the powders apparently suppressed cellular aging in older mice and improved their cognitive function to a similar level as younger mice. Previously, members of the research team reported separately that the pathology of dementia in model mice improved with cognitive and motor functions restored after using the Hawaiian herb mamaki and the Chinese herb Acorus gramineus. “The results of our research will hopefully make it possible to develop dementia prevention products that middle-aged and elderly people can take at their own discretion.” -Takami Tomiyama, Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University The findings are currently available as a reviewed preprint in eLife. Source: Osaka Metropolitan University Journal reference: Umeda, T., et al. (2024) Simply crushed Zizyphi spinosi semen prevents neurodegenerative diseases and reverses age-related cognitive decline in mice. doi.org/10.7554/elife.100737.1. To read the original article click here.

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Amino Acids & Mental Health

The AHA! Team — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 08:24:17 +0000

Dr. Caroline Leaf – In this podcast (episode #589) and blog, I talk to Angelo Keely, co-founder and CEO of Kion Aminos, about the role protein plays in our mental and physical health, why amino acids are important, and how to strengthen your mind, brain, and body and increase your longevity! After a near-death experience in his late teens, Angelo decided that taking charge of his own health should play an integral role in his life. He eventually started a new business based on his own experiences and his passion to help people improve their wellbeing and live their best lives, called Kion Aminos. I am a big fan of Kion Aminos, which I take every day as part of my mental and physical regimen. As you have heard me talk about on my podcast and in my books, our mental health and physical health are intertwined. Both are heavily influenced not only by what we put in our bodies, but by what our bodies are missing, or deficient in, as well. This is one of the reasons I want to make sure I am getting enough protein. For our cells to be able to communicate with each other, we need to consume adequate protein for the essential amino acids it contains. Our body breaks down protein into its individual essential amino acid components, which then circulate through our blood and are used by the brain and body for everything from building muscle to forming neurotransmitters and hormones. Our body breaks down protein into its individual essential amino acid components These essential amino acids are very different from other macronutrients like carbohydrates or fats, which are energy sources. Protein can be converted into an energy source, but this is not its primary use. When we consume protein, our body wants to break down protein into individual amino acids and use them to fuel all the amino acid and protein requirements in the mind and brain. Many of us get our daily intake of protein from whole food protein sources like eggs, poultry and tofu, but most people don’t know we can also get what we need most from protein – essential amino acids – directly as a supplement, hence the reason Kion Aminos is an important part of my life, and why Angelo is so passionate about what he does: in so many ways, amino acids are essential to life! They play an important role not just in muscle building and physical recovery but also in the mind-brain connection. When we go through life, our experiences are wired into the brain on several different levels, which involves the production of amino acids. Amino acids help build many things in the brain and body, including our experiences! Without amino acids, we would not be able to experience life as we know it. In fact, over 50% of our solid body mass is made up of proteins (and thus amino acids), including the heart, kidneys, muscles, neurotransmitters, neurons and so on. Our experience of existing mentally could even be called an amino acid experience! It is important to note that proteins are in a constant state of breaking down and then re-synthesizing to function optimally. When these proteins break down into amino acids, some cannot be reused, which eventually leave our body in our urine. These amino acids have to be replenished through what we eat and drink so that our brain and body can continue functioning optimally. Proteins are in a constant state of breaking down This means that when we consume protein (and thus amino acids), we are not just giving our brain and body energy to burn; we are also giving ourselves the building blocks that make up the brain, heart, kidneys, muscles and so on. We are actually protecting the most vital parts of ourselves by building up and strengthening our muscles–it is not just about moving fast or looking good. Many people think that the primary function of skeletal muscles is to help the body move, but our muscles are also the primary reservoir of amino acids for the rest of the brain and body. If we stop consuming amino acids or proteins, then the body will start breaking down our muscle tissue to get amino acids into the blood and to vital parts of the body like the liver, heart or brain, so that these organs can function. Amino acids really are the building blocks of life! And supplementing so we make sure we get the amino acids we need is incredibly important as we age. Research shows that, after the age of 30, our ability to break down proteins and get the essential amino acids we need decreases, so we need to make sure we have good sources of these amino acids in our diet to maintain our health and improve our longevity. Of course, with so many supplements out there, we shouldn’t just take the first amino acids we see, as not all products are created equal. This is why Angelo and the team at Kion are passionate about making premium, clean, research-backed amino acid supplements and foods that support a long, fun, active life. They meticulously select the highest quality natural ingredients and blend them into complementing supplements and functional foods that maximize wellness, performance, and longevity. Their products contain all 9 essential amino acids our bodies cannot make by themselves, already broken down from protein and ready to be absorbed and used by your body, making it 2X to 8X more effective than protein. I also love that the Kion formula is completely transparent and backed by over 20 years of research. This is something I am particularly passionate about as a woman in her 60s. As we get older, we need certain amino acids to help us maintain our wellbeing and longevity. And low-dose (3g), leucine-rich, essential amino acids (like those found in Kion Aminos) can help stimulate muscle synthesis equivalent to 20g of whey protein in older women at rest and after exercise. This means that, for women like myself, Kion Aminos can be 6x more effective than an equal amount of whole food protein at stimulating muscle synthesis to help maintain my physical and mental health, quality of life and longevity! If you want to try Kion Aminos for yourself, for a limited time you can get 20% of your order at getkion.com/drleaf! For more on why amino acids are so important for our mental and physical wellbeing, listen to my podcast with Angelo (episode #589) and check out Kion Aminos’ amazing products. Podcast Highlights 2:05 Proteins, amino acids & why they are so important 9:43 What essential amino acids are & why we need them 11:40 Great sources of essential amino acids 12:30 Why essential amino acids are important as we age 20:45 Why we all need to strengthen muscles—this is not for bulking up! 25:40 Why we want to be proactive when it comes to our health 27:06, 32:51 Why we need to be careful what supplements we take & why I love Kion Aminos 33:55 Why Angelo started Kion Aminos & his advice to fellow entrepreneurs and people who want to start their own business This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional. To read the original article click here.

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Getting Rid of Depression and Anxiety: How to Eat for Better Mental Health

AHA Publisher — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 07:00:13 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – The foods that you eat not only impact your waistline and your physical health, but they also affect the way you think and feel. You’ve probably always heard that you are what you eat – and it’s true, what you put in your body matters. But, according to a review published in the March 2021 issue of Frontiers of Nutrition, it’s what you feed your brain that really counts. Your “Second Brain” Is Smarter Than You Think Your gastrointestinal system plays an integral role in not only your physical health but in your mood and mental health as well. This is because scientists have found that neural tissue doesn’t only exist in our brains. It lines our gut as well. This network of neurotransmitters does a lot more than just regulate digestion. It is connected to the brain, and it is a key influence in diseases in the body and mental state. They’ve dubbed it out “second brain.” The technical name for our second brain is the enteric nervous system. While it doesn’t help with decision-making or your deep thoughts, it still has much to do. Yes, it does regulate the digestion process and gut behavior, but it is far more complex than that. It is estimated that 90% of the primary visceral nerve fibers transport information to the brain from the gut. This is contrary to what was traditionally believed. The enteric nervous system is also a producer of serotonin – to the tune of 95% of serotonin in the entire body is found in the bowels. This is also likely why certain antidepressants like SSRIs have side effects that include gastrointestinal issues. So, it’s no wonder that diet plays such an important part in mental wellbeing. Scientists Link Brain and Gut Health, Connect Nutrition and Mental Health The foods that you choose to put into your body directly impact your second brain. If you put junk in, it feeds the “bad” bacteria that lives in your gut. This can lead to many health problems, including anxiety and depression. However, your mental health often improves when you focus on nutrition and put the good stuff in. Promoting the idea that a poor diet has a negative impact on mood is not new. Doctors made that connection long ago. However, now that they have linked the second brain and connected all the dots, it makes perfect sense that when you feed that brain in your gut a healthy diet, it will significantly impact your mental health. But both the brain in your skull and the brain in your gut work together, so, make no mistake, the quality of your diet is everything. “Brainbuster” Foods Negatively Impact Mood; Here Are the Top Offenders Some foods are simply not good for you but aren’t detrimental to your health. Then some foods directly affect your brain and gut in ways that can have lasting effects. Nutrients and foods you should avoid include: Foods high in sodium Sugar Factory-farm meats High amounts of toxic fat Artificial sweeteners Overly processed foods Dehydration Zinc deficiency should also be avoided. It can lead to depression as well as poor immunity. Another nutrient that you need to watch out for is low B12. Folate, B12, and B6 help keep your homocysteine levels low. High homocysteine has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s, cognitive decline, and brain atrophy. Loading Up On “Brain Boosters” Benefit Brain and Gut Health in Multiple Ways Foods that can strengthen your brain and gut, improving your mood and mental wellbeing, are part of a healthy diet. Great brain and gut health diets you might try are the DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet. Doctors and nutritionists highly recommend both. Some of those brain-boosting foods include: Whole grains Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids Leafy greens Fresh fruit Colorful vegetables Olive oil Berries Legumes and beans Fermented foods like sauerkraut, pickles, and miso Wild caught seafood Obviously, organic quality foods are your best choice. In addition, make sure to incorporate probiotics and prebiotics into your diet as well. The main point is clear: maintaining a well-balanced diet is essential for a healthy body, gut, and brain. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov ScientificAmerican.com To read the original article click here.

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Boost Gut Microbiome Health to Boost Mental Health + Tips to Improve Digestion

The AHA! Team — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 07:00:00 +0000

Dr. Caroline Leaf – …if the good bacteria in our gut cannot help break down our food, our brain’s neurochemistry can be affected, while bad bacteria produce other chemicals that further impact our neurochemistry, which will, in turn, affect our overall ability to think well and our mood. We all know what we eat affects our mood, and vice versa. Just think of popular phrases like “sick to my stomach” and “I have butterflies in my stomach”: intuitively, we know that our gut and brain are closely connected, as I have mentioned multiple times in my blogs, on my podcast and in my book Think and Eat Yourself Smart. The gut microbiome, that is the world of bacteria living in our digestive system, doesn’t just exist to help us break down food. There is a constant conversation going on between the brain and gut, which also has its own amazing neurons, just like the spinal cord! This relationship is incredibly important when it comes to our mental health, which is both directly and indirectly affected by what we eat. I recently interviewed Wade Lightheart from BiOptimizers about how important our gut microbiome is for our mental health, and how we can use probiotics and better thinking and eating habits to improve our digestion and our lives.Wade’s sister was diagnosed with cancer when he was a teenager, and, unfortunately, after a long struggle with the disease, she passed away at the age of 22. Having gone through that traumatic experience, Wade realized that life is not just a “given”. There is so much that is uncertainty when it comes to our health (as Wade tragically learned at a young age), and it is imperative that we take every opportunity to improve our mental and physical health in order to make full use of every day we have on earth. A body building magazine Wade’s sister has given him a body building magazine during this time, which had a great impact on his life. He became passionate about building up his external appearance, and later chose to pursue a career in body-building and exercise physiology. However, after participating in the Mr. Universe contest, he battled with maintaining his physique, and gained 42 pounds of fat and water (and become, as he calls it, Mr. Marshmallow). Wade realized that although he had learnt how to build muscles and exercise, he has not been focusing on his internal health, which came at a cost after he stopped competing in bodybuilding competitions: his failing health affected his mood and his identity as an exercise champion. He had to learn, over time and with much effort, that it is important to focus on both our internal and external fitness if he wanted to live a truly fulfilling and happy life. And, after meeting a doctor who taught him how to build the body from the inside out, rather than just focusing on his external physique and looks, Wade decided to found his company, BiOptimizers, to help others also improve both their mental and physical wellbeing through improving gut microbiome and digestive system. His company works on three main principles: assimilation, nutrification and bioptimization. We often make an assumption that if we eat something it is automatically converted to energy for energizing and building the brain and body, but this not always the case. There is a distinct digestive process that has to take place for our body to make use of what we eat, which has been dramatically affected by our modern, industrial diet (which I discuss in detail in my book Think and Eat Yourself Smart). Wade’s company focuses on combating these digestive issues through not only focusing on what we eat, but how what we eat is assimilated, digested and used by our brains an body to help us realize the full potential of our mental and physical wellbeing. The team at BiOptimizers focus on helping people not only recover, but optimize the quality of their life by improving their overall health. More and more research is highlighting the importance of the gut microbiome, and how it impacts our brain and body health. It is therefore incredibly important that we focus on improving our digestive system through a healthy diet, probiotics, digestive enzymes and so on, especially in today’s world, where so much of what we eat provides processed, empty calories, and where more and more people are suffering from preventable lifestyle diseases. For instance, if the good bacteria in our gut cannot help break down our food, our brain’s neurochemistry can be affected, while bad bacteria produce other chemicals that further impact our neurochemistry, which will, in turn, affect our overall ability to think well and our mood. In fact, most of our neurotransmitters are made in our gut, so if that is not healthy, our brain will really struggle! This is why it is so important we take a holistic approach to our mental and physical health, because everything is connected, as I discuss in depth in Think and Eat Yourself Smart. As Wade notes, there are three main areas where we can improve our digestion to improve our mental and physical health: 1. Enzymes: as humans, we need enzymes to help us break down our food. They really are the difference between life and death! Proteolytic enzymes in particular are important, as they break down the proteins in our foods into absorbable amino acids, which are the building blocks of the brain and body, and are responsible for so many bodily functions. These should be a part of your everyday regimen, especially since so many of our modern foods have been compromised through production and overcooking. Thankfully, BiOptimizers has high-quality proteolytic enzymes available for purchase, which increase the bioavailability of your proteins and can help heal the brain and body. They also have other enzymes available, so check out their store. My readers can get a free bottle from BiOptimizers sent to their home by visiting p3om.com/leaffree with the code leaffreep3om. 2. Hydrochloric acid: either through aging or chronic dehydration we often do not have enough hydrochloric acid in our diet, which is critical for the removal of pathogens and our immune system, as well as the proper functioning of our digestive system and our mental health. BiOptimizers also has a great HCL supplement that can naturally help increase your hydrochloric acid levels and improve your digestive and immune systems. 3. Everyone is different: everybody’s gut microbiome is slightly different, and it will change over time and with different ways of eating. This is one reason why different diets work for different peopleâ€”there is no one “perfect” diet. However, it is crucial that we try maintain our gut microbiome health by avoiding highly processed or chemical-saturated food (such as conventional agriculture), as these can impact the health of our gut (I discuss this in detail in my book Think and Eat Yourself Smart) and eat as many natural, sustainable, wild, fresh and seasonal foods. It is also important to recognize that certain medications can impact the gut (such as antibiotics), which is why it is so important to take good-quality probiotics on a daily basis. You can also get 20% off your order of BiOptimizers at www.bioptimizers.com/drleaf with the coupon code: DRLEAF20. Their products have really made a difference in our lives, and can make a big difference for you as well! For my full interview with Wade and more on the gut microbiome and mental health, listen to this week’s podcast. We as a family also incorporate bone broth in our daily diet to help build up and strengthen our gut microbiome and improve our mental health. One of my favorite brands Kettle & Fire, which makes delicious, organic, grass-fed and pasture-raised nutritious broths and soups that my family just loves! Bone broth helps build up and strengthen the gut, as it is has collagen, amino acids and proteinâ€”the building blocks of the brain and body! And my readers can get up to 15% off their order and free shipping with the link provided here. I am also a big fan of healthy, low sugar protein bars when I am travelling or on the go, which keep me satisfied, while helping me avoid eating foods that can damage my gut microbiome and impact my mental health. I especially love the keto protein bars from Keto Krisp, which are incredibly delicious, very filling and have just 4g of carbs! You can get up to 30% off your order on Amazon or their website with the code DRLEAFKETO at checkout. If you would like to learn more about how to think and eat yourself smart, try my 63-day online course, which follows my book, Think and Eat Yourself Smart. To read the original article click here. To read more articles by Dr. Leaf click here.

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