I’m a total fan of the relationship between nutrition and mental health and a big believer in the gut-brain connection. growing research has found that there is a two-way communication between the brain and the gut, commonly known as the gut-brain axis, which means that what we eat literally feeds our mind (energy, alertness, focus, mood) .
If you’ve been following my instagram or blog for a while, you know I’ve been preaching this for a while now. Over a year ago I wrote more about 5 Reasons I Really Believe What You Eat Can Improve Your Mental Health. And since so many of you have been asking follow-up questions on this topic, I thought I’d round up some of the same resources that have helped inform my own journey!
You are reading: Books on nutrition and mental health
So today I’m sharing with you some of the books on nutrition and the brain that broadened my perspective on holistic mental health care and led to significant changes in my lifestyle. I’ve also included descriptions of each book so you can see what interests you! enjoy!
1. this is your brain on food by dr. a naidoo
I love this book because it makes a clear connection between how food biologically impacts the brain in a way that can be read and understood at a basic level while still doing scientific justice. dr uma also gives very practical advice on what foods to include on your plate for optimal brain health and how to combine them in different recipes. So if you’re looking for something educational and applicable, “this is your brain on food” is a great place to start! Plus, I’ve gotten to know Dr. uma more personally last week and she is a wonderful, kind and brilliant woman who shows that she is passionate about her work and genuinely cares about those around her.
You can listen to my latest podcast conversation with Dr. Uma for more on this topic here!
check out my latest instagram live chat with dr. uma on “this is your brain on food” here!
book description:
a triple threat in the food space, dr. Uma Naidoo is a board certified psychiatrist, nutritionist, and professionally trained chef. In This Is Your Brain On Food, she draws on cutting-edge research to explain the many ways food contributes to our mental health and shows how a healthy diet can help treat and prevent a wide range of psychological and mental health issues. cognitive. Packed with fascinating science, practical nutritional recommendations, and delicious, brain-healthy recipes, This Is Your Brain on Food is your guide to optimizing your mental health with food.
2. The Happiness Diet: A Nutritional Prescription for a Sharp Brain, a Balanced Mood, and a Lean, Energized Body by Dr. Tyler Graham and Dr. drew ramsey
This was one of the first books I read as I was beginning my journey to understand the impact of food on mental health. one of the main things i love about this book is that it clearly identifies some of the essential nutrients for our brains like omega 3, vitamin b, magnesium, iron, vitamin d, vitamin b and so many others that americans tend to be deficient in , which contribute to the mental well-being of our brain! It also exposes today’s food processing system and the common American diet that plays a role in many nutrient deficiencies that lower our mental health. I recently picked up your Eat Complete cookbook, which combines all of these essential nutrients into meals you can start including in your lifestyle. so I always recommend the happiness diet! dr draw ramsey is also someone I’ve had a more personal conversation with and you can tell he’s very committed to expanding nutrition-based solutions in the field of mental health. I have a feeling it’s just getting started!
See Also: What textbooks were deemed inappropriate by the Florida Department of Education?
Book Description:
Using data from the rapidly changing fields of neuroscience and nutrition, The Happiness Diet shows that over the last few generations, small and seemingly insignificant changes to our diet have stripped it of nutrients, such as magnesium, vitamin b12, iron and vitamin d, as well as some very special fats, which are essential for a happy, well-balanced brain. these changes also explain the overabundance of mood-busting foods in the average American’s diet and why they predispose most of us to excessive weight gain.
After a clear explanation of how we’ve all gotten so far off track, The Happiness Diet empowers the reader to break away from this way of life with simple, straightforward solutions, including: • a list of foods to forget • advice on kitchen shopping and organizing tips • a compact healthy cookbook full of brain-building recipes • practical tips, meal plans and much more.
3. the mind-gut connection: how the hidden talk inside our bodies affects our moods, our choices, and our overall health by dr. emerald mayer
What I love about this book is that it takes another perspective on this topic from a GI doctor looking at the mental health impact of gut function. I felt that he also laid out very clearly the communication link between the gut and the brain and gave me that initial moment where I literally started to understand how food and the brain impact each other. he talks more in depth about the microbiome, which is the collection of bacteria that keep our gut healthy, and therefore the production of neurotransmitters and signals to the healthy brain. I would say that this book is definitely a must-read collection to gain a full understanding of the gut-brain connection.
See Also: What textbooks were deemed inappropriate by the Florida Department of Education?
Book Description:
in the mind-gut connection, dr. emeran mayer, executive director of the center for the neurobiology of stress at ucla, offers a groundbreaking look at this developing science, teaching us how to harness the power of the mind-gut connection to take charge of our health.
the mind-gut connection shows how to keep brain-gut communication clear and balanced to:
• balance the microbiome by consuming fermented foods and probiotics, fasting, and eliminating sugar and processed foods
• increase immunity and prevent the onset of neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
• Create a happier mindset and reduce fatigue, moodiness, anxiety and depression
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• Prevents and cures gastrointestinal disorders like leaky gut syndrome, food sensitivities and allergies, and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as digestive upsets like heartburn and bloating, and much more.
4. the neurogenesis diet and lifestyle: improve your brain, improve your life by brant cortright
I came to this book after listening to a fascinating lecture by dr. Corright on neurogenesis, the ability to produce new brain cells. so this comes primarily from the perspective that certain dietary and lifestyle habits contribute to increased brain cell growth, which optimizes your brain and helps improve mental health and intellectual ability, among a number of other health benefits. I would recommend this for another perspective on the connection between diet and mental health that is very fascinating and does much more justice than this summary.
See Also: What textbooks were deemed inappropriate by the Florida Department of Education?
Book Description:
neurogenesis diet and lifestyle brings together the latest in neuroscientific research to present a new and proven view of brain health and aging. only recently has it been discovered that the brain produces new brain cells throughout our lives, a process called neurogenesis. The rate at which we form new brain cells has a profound influence on all aspects of our lives. when the rate of neurogenesis is low, we see cognitive deficits and memory problems, anxiety and stress, depression, and decreased immunity. life is hard.
This book presents the latest discoveries in neuroscience to increase brain power, improve memory, increase brain fitness by seeing what types of brain exercises really work, and build a better brain. contains dietary recommendations for brain foods, brain vitamins, brain supplements, memory vitamins, and memory supplements.
5. great foods: get smarter, happier, and more productive while protecting your brain for life by max lugavere
I was originally brought to max lugavere from an interview he gave on one of my regular podcasts, listen to “broken brain” with dhru purohit. Max Lugavere has recently been one of the leading voices on nutrition choices and their impact on brain health in the online world and is aiming squarely at clearing up misinformation in the food industry. this is another read that really helps bridge the holistic perspective of how certain dietary choices can help or hurt overall mental well-being and help you think more critically about the food industry in general.
See Also: What textbooks were deemed inappropriate by the Florida Department of Education?
Book Description:
Discover the critical link between your brain and the food you eat, and change the way your brain ages, in this groundbreaking, practical guide to eliminating brain fog, optimizing brain health, and achieving peak mental performance. media personality and leadership. voice in health max lugavere.
In Cool Foods, Lugavere presents a comprehensive guide to brain optimization. uncovers the surprising link between our dietary and lifestyle choices and our brain functions, revealing how the foods you eat directly affect your ability to focus, learn, remember, create, analyze new ideas, and maintain a balanced mood. Bringing together pioneering research in dementia prevention, cognitive optimization, and nutritional psychiatry, Lugavere distills groundbreaking science into actionable lifestyle changes.
hope you found these tips helpful! Have you been interested in the mind-gut connection? Are there any other books on the relationship between diet and mental health that you would recommend? be sure to leave them in the comments below!
your friend,
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