Your brain is effected by what you eat. Emotions, behaviors and moods are directly influenced by the type of nutrition you receive as well as the vitamins and minerals you receive from your food and supplements.

Your gut and your brain are in constant communication via your vagus nerve. Studies have shown a direct link between behavior and lack of specific vitamins, in particular B vitamins. A study done by the American Journal of Psychiatry has shown an increase in aggressive behavior in children with a notable B vitamin deficiency. B vitamins are readily available in whole grains; pasta, bread, etc. that can easily change this.

Protein is also found to directly link behavior, such as aggression, and learning. Quality proteins are available in foods such as Spirulina, and beans which are less expensive, better digested than meats and enable your brain to produce the Serotonin necessary to control aggressive behavior

Studies from the Netherlands have shown a 34% reduction in aggressive and violent behavior when prisoners where given proper nutrition and supplements containing omega 3’s and vitamins with B complex and minerals, including Zinc. Many children survive on a diet loaded with white flour; bleached and stripped of its nutritional value and sugar, which is processed and reacts with your body’s’ cells and suppresses the immune system. All of this combines to cause illness and a direct effect to your brains ability to produce serotonin and melatonin, which help your body to rest, be calm and deal with situations rationally.

Certainly more studies need to be done on the effects of nutrition and how the brain is fed, or not fed, and the effects of this, but what is already known is enough to warrant immediate change. Rather than focusing on pharmaceuticals, can we focus on quality nutrition? That remains to be seen.

Shelli Rossignol lmt/cr December 2012