When we consider nutritional health, we usually think about how it links with our physical health. But can our mental health also affect our nutritional health? The answer is “yes.” Research suggests many links between mental health and our eating habits.
There are many who tend to binge eat during times of stress. This can occur for many reasons. At times, eating can be used as a distraction from negative feelings or used to lift one’s spirits.
Therefore, stress can be considered a risk factor for weight gain and obesity. During these times, many individuals crave salt, fat, and sugar. And, unfortunately, the weight gain among these individuals is often abdominal fat, which can lead to diabetes and heart disease.
Research suggests that cortisol may be one of the culprits of this type of weight gain. The release of the stress hormone, cortisol (a glucocorticoid), along with insulin, may be responsible for stress-related food cravings.
Eating “comfort foods” appears to reduce the negative hormonal and behavioral changes associated with stress.
Specifically, carbohydrates may increase levels of tryptophan and large neutral amino acids. This process leads to more serotonin, which may improve performance and mood during stressful times. Although stress may be reduced for a time, resulting weight gain can bring about more stress, leading to an unhealthy cycle.
When pondering this process, it can be seen that stress management may improve weight loss efforts and improve your nutritional status. A healthy mind has a definite impact on a healthy body and vice versa. It is amazing how each area of our health influences the other. While good nutritional health is vital to good overall health, we must keep in mind that good health is multidimensional.
We must keep all areas of our health in mind when making health decisions. This may seem like an enormous undertaking, however, the investment in our health will provide immeasurable returns!
Rakel: “Obesity” (chapter 39), Integrative Medicine, 2nd edition. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/patient/body/136215465-7/838897521/10041/9440.html
Republished with permission from the Living Whole Newsletter, Spring 2009. To learn more about the Living Whole Employee Wellness Program, click here.