Whilst increasing vegetables and fruit intake is crucial for improving health due to their richness in micronutrients, fibre and antioxidants, when it comes to brain health there are some key nutrients that cannot be found easily in a vegan diet that must be taken into consideration, if we want to keep the brain healthy on a long term basis.

Abraham Hoffer and his team theorised that in order to reduce the production of adrenochromes, a methyl acceptor such as B3 would be needed. Methyl acceptor is the name for nutrients, mainly in the B vitamin family, which each play an important role in a biochemical process known as methylation. This process is needed for a variety of biochemical reactions, such as building and breaking down neurotransmitters, supporting liver detox pathways and DNA repair, to name a few.

The ketogenic diet was first introduced by physicians in the 1920s for the treatment of childhood epilepsy, after scientists discovered that during periods of fasting the body begins to use fat as a source of energy instead of glucose, which resulted in less seizures in patients. Two specific compounds were found to be produced in the body during fasts – acetone and beta‐hydroxybutyric acid – now known as ketones, which are a byproduct of fat breakdown in the liver and are used by the body as energy when there is no more glucose available.

Considering how thyroid activity influences the mitochondria - which play a fundamental role in the energy production of each and every cell in our body - it’s no wonder that when it is either over or under-working, people can experience a wide variety of symptoms that can closely relate to mental health conditions. For example, an overactive thyroid can cause symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety, irritability and heart palpitations. Whereas an underactive thyroid can cause symptoms at the other end of the spectrum, such as fatigue, depression, muscle aches, brain fog and sleep issues. These symptoms are commonly coupled with digestive complaints, low or high body temperature and rapid weight gain or weight loss.

We have long known and believed in the saying ‘you are what you eat’, however, emerging research is showing that we could also argue that ‘you are what you think’. Many of us know intuitively that thinking positively leads to better health just as thinking negatively on a consistent basis can lead to poor health, but have you ever wondered why this is the case?

A growing body of research displaying clear links between high levels of inflammation in the body and depression is revealing how the serotonin model, which is based on the understanding that low mood is caused by a deficiency in serotonin and therefore supports the use of antidepressants, is becoming defunct. A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry, found a 30% increase in inflammation in multiple brain regions in those suffering from depression.

Vitamin D, also widely known as nature’s version of Prozac and the sunshine Vitamin, helps regulate the amounts of calcium and phosphate in the body; these are needed to keep bones, muscles and teeth healthy. Maintaining the level of Vitamin D in the body therefore helps to prevent conditions such as osteoporosis, rickets, muscle weakness and cardio vascular disease. It also plays an important role in our immune health and mental health. Very importantly, it is not just a vitamin but also has hormone-like qualities which play a role in switching genes on and off to further support our health.

So what’s the big deal with sugar and why should we watch our sugar intake? To put it simply, our bodies are not geared up, genetically, to be eating excessive amounts of sugar and refined sugar.

Have you ever considered the connection between what you are eating and your levels of stress, anxiety and fatigue? Most people wouldn't even think to join the dots between our dietary intake and our feelings. However, negative symptoms associated to chronic stress can be significantly exacerbated, as well as in some cases, triggered by what we eat.