Nutrition and the Brain - Nedley Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program Week 3
In class we talked about Dr. Nedley's recommendation to follow a whole foods, plant-based diet, in order to enjoy optimal mental and physical wellness. In the workbook, Dr. Nedley states the following:
"Avoiding Cholesterol and Arachadonic Acid in your diet promotes optimal brain health. Start by eliminating meat, cheese, eggs, and milk. If you can’t do it all at once, start by eliminating meat first, then cheese, then eggs, and finally milk, while replacing these foods with healthy foods recommended in this section. Lowering your saturated fat intake will also help you to lower your blood cholesterol significantly (Lard, butter, coconut, and palm oils)." (Depression and Anxiety Recovery Workbook p. 60).
Dr. Nedley also shared an article online, Achieving Peak Mental Performance (find link below) in which he shared the following:
“Nutrition
plays a key role in mental performance. To give your brain the most benefit,
eat generously of a variety of whole plant foods. Select fruits and vegetables
in a variety of colors, making sure some of these are raw. The best plan is to
eat two or three regularly timed meals with nothing in between but plain water.
Limit or abstain completely from flesh and animal products. Be sure to keep the
added fat and sugar low.”
“A
growing body of scientific evidence suggests that the consumption of a diet of
whole grains, legumes, vegetables, nuts, and fruits, with the elimination of
meat and high-fat animal products, combined with a regular exercise program is
associated with reduced blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, less
obesity and, therefore, less heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Meat
contains a substance that impairs brain activity and lacks a substance that the
brain needs to function well. Arachidonic acid found in meat impairs optimal
functioning of the brain center for wisdom, judgment, and foresight – the
frontal lobe. Animal foods are devoid of carbohydrates, which is the primary
source of energy that the brain can use, but a vegetarian diet contains a
plentiful supply.”Beautiful Minds Wellness.org https://beautifulmindswellness.org/2018/06/10/10-tips-for-achieving-peak-mental-performance/
To learn more about how you can follow Dr. Nedley's dietary recommendations, check out this blog. It contains meal plans, resources, and motivation to help you start on your transformational journey to a healthier, happier you, through a plant-based diet. https://positivitylife.com/optimal-mental-physical-wellness-longevity-through-a-plant-based-lifestyle/
