Brain Food: The Top Foods for Mental Wellness

Mark Hyman

May 27, 2024

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We often hear about food in the context of physical health, but food is very tied to emotional and mental health, too. The growing field of nutritional psychiatry is shedding light on this profound connection between food and mood, and how what we eat impacts everything from anxiety and depression to ADHD and more.

In this episode, Dr. Hyman speaks with Max Lugavere and Dr. Uma Naidoo about the best foods to eat to support your brain and the beautiful symphony between what you eat, your gut microbiome, and cognitive function.



This episode is brought to you by Rupa University, ButcherBox, and Cymbiotika.

Rupa University is hosting FREE classes and bootcamps for healthcare providers who want to learn more about Functional Medicine testing. Sign up at RupaUniversity.com.

ButcherBox is giving new members two pounds of wild-caught salmon for FREE plus $20 off. Visit ButcherBox.com/Farmacy and use code FARMACY.

Upgrade your supplement routine with Cymbiotika. Get 20% off with free shipping on all orders. Head to Cymbiotika.com and use code HYMAN.

Episode description

View Show Notes From This Episode

Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman

Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal

We often hear about food in the context of physical health, but food is very tied to emotional and mental health, too. The growing field of nutritional psychiatry is shedding light on this profound connection between food and mood, and how what we eat impacts everything from anxiety and depression to ADHD and more.

In this episode, Dr. Hyman speaks with Max Lugavere and Dr. Uma Naidoo about the best foods to eat to support your brain and the beautiful symphony between what you eat, your gut microbiome, and cognitive function.



This episode is brought to you by Rupa University, ButcherBox, and Cymbiotika.

Rupa University is hosting FREE classes and bootcamps for healthcare providers who want to learn more about Functional Medicine testing. Sign up at RupaUniversity.com.

ButcherBox is giving new members two pounds of wild-caught salmon for FREE plus $20 off. Visit ButcherBox.com/Farmacy and use code FARMACY.

Upgrade your supplement routine with Cymbiotika. Get 20% off with free shipping on all orders. Head to Cymbiotika.com and use code HYMAN.

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Recognize overeating as a natural response, not a moral failure

Hyper-palatable foods like chips are scientifically designed to be overeaten, and the inability to stop is a natural evolutionary response to calorie density, not a lack of willpower.

Incorporate avocados for optimal brain protection against oxidative stress

Avocados provide the highest concentration of fat-protecting antioxidants of any fruit or vegetable, which is crucial for protecting the brain from oxidative stress.

Focus on protein, fiber, and water for optimal satiety

The three factors that make a food satiating are its protein content, fiber content, and water content, while fat prolongs the feeling of fullness.

Prioritize food processing over calorie count for better health

A finely ground porridge spikes blood sugar far more than a coarsely ground one with identical calories and carbs, showing the degree of processing is a key health factor.

Boost brain health with grass-fed beef for ApoE4 carriers

Grass-fed beef is a powerful brain food because it contains creatine, a compound that supports brain energy and is often depleted in carriers of the ApoE4 Alzheimer's risk gene.

Evaluate meat studies by assessing hazard ratios

When evaluating nutritional studies on meat, if the reported hazard ratio is not at least 2 (a 200% increased risk), the finding is likely insignificant.

Hydrate optimally with electrolytes for cellular health

For optimal cellular hydration, add electrolytes to your water, with a recommended product being the sugar-free liquid drops called Lyte Show.

Address brain inflammation to alleviate anxiety and depression

Brain inflammation doesn't cause pain but can manifest as anxiety or depression, and its source is often an imbalanced gut microbiome caused by a poor diet.

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