Psychiatrist Explains Why Dietary Habits is Crucial for Mental Illness

I manage to work. But I’m not in good health, and my mind isn’t happy

“In the past, mental illness meant only people with serious illnesses. In contrast, today’s mental illnesses are often people who are able to manage their work, but are not healthy and do not feel happy. They are suffering from a series of small problems, such as tiredness, fatigue, and a lack of clarity of mind,” says Dr. Hiroshi Iizuka, director of the Medical Stress Care Iizuka Clinic. Although the clinic is located in a small town in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, many patients with mental problems come to the clinic from other prefectures and even from far away.

 

The causes of mental illness are complex and vary from person to person, and include a wide range of factors such as environment, personality, way of thinking, lifestyle, and sleep. Among them, those who are prone to mental illness have one thing in common: a poor diet.

“There are several dietary characteristics that lead to mental illness, the most common of which is a diet that causes rapid fluctuations in blood glucose levels. These include diets that are heavily dependent on carbohydrates, cannot stop eating sweets, canned coffee, and soft drinks, and skipping meals.”

“When blood glucose levels rise rapidly, insulin is secreted by the pancreas. The resulting sudden drop in blood glucose levels in turn causes the sympathetic nervous system to become dominant, and feelings of tension, anxiety, and fear all become stronger. It is safe to say that sudden fluctuations in blood glucose levels exacerbate any mental illness.”

Noodles such as ramen and udon noodles, bowls of rice, and other single-serving meals represent the most likely cause of rapid fluctuations in blood sugar. Although they contain the three major nutrients of protein, fat, and carbohydrates (sugar), if they lack the nutrients to burn them and convert them into energy, the body will suffer from energy deficiency, causing physical and mental disorders.

Dr. Iizuka explains, “In order to convert carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy, other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals are necessary. For example, a lack of vitamin B makes you tired easily, and a lack of iron can lead to irritation and poor concentration, in addition to fatigue.”

“A lifestyle centered on processed foods can lead to extreme deficiencies of such vitamins and minerals. By avoiding processed foods whenever possible and eating “whole foods,” we can achieve a well-balanced nutritional intake.”

 

In addition to what we eat, the way we eat also plays a role in our mental health.

“Eating too quickly while standing up, or eating while looking at your phone or working, excites the sympathetic nervous system, which prevents smooth digestion and absorption of food, which puts a strain on the gastrointestinal tract. Eating is an act of internalizing external food. When the sympathetic nervous system is in a fighting mode, even if you go to the trouble of taking well-balanced nutrition, your body will not be able to accept it properly. Eating in a pleasant and calm manner is a good way to keep mental disorders at bay.”