Show 1180: How to Eat to Nourish Your Brain

You know your body needs food to fuel it. You’ve probably thought about whether you should be eating more fat or less, how much protein you might need and if you are getting enough vegetables and fruits. But have you thought about how you should eat to nourish your brain?

Managing Your Mood:

Millions of people take drugs to treat depression or anxiety. Probably few people plan their meals to reduce improve their mood. Researchers now have developed good evidence for a link between diet and mental health. How do our diets affect our mental states, and how could we choose more wisely?

What Should You Eat to Nourish Your Brain?

It is time to change the way we think about food. But even people accustomed to burgers or pizza can find delicious ways to eat that will support brain health. Dr. Drew Ramsey offers a recipe for a nutrient-laden pizza he calls “rocket pie.” Find out why. What makes it so good?

You’ll also find out what foods you should avoid. (Hint: liquid sugar in soft drinks is high on the list.) Which foods are especially good to eat to nourish the brain? People who like seafood are in luck, because clams and mussels are great sources of zinc. And zinc is a key nutrient for brain health. But don’t stop there–20 others are also really helpful.

Drugs That Rob the Brain of Nutrients:

Certain medications, such as the diabetes drug metformin, can deplete the body of critical nutrients like vitamin B12. How does the brain respond to this kind of deficit? If you need to overcome a problem of this sort, what should you eat to nourish your brain best?

This Week's Guest:

Drew Ramsey, MD, is a leading innovator in mental health, combining clinical excellence, nutritional interventions and creative media. He is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and in active clinical practice in New York City.
His work and writing has been featured by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, Lancet Psychiatry, and NPR, which named him a “kale evangelist,” the Today Show, BBC and TEDx.

He is the author of three books: Eat Complete: The 21 Nutrients that Fuel Brain Power, Boost Weight Loss and Transform Your Health, 50 Shades of Kale, and The Happiness Diet. His e-course, Eat To Beat Depression, helps people maximize their brain health with every bite.

He splits his time between New York City and rural Indiana where he lives with his wife, children and parents on his 127-acre organic farm. His website is drewramseymd.com.

The photo of Dr. Ramsey is by Ellen Silverman.