Food and Emotions

Hey there. Let’s talk emotions! They’re a big deal, affecting how we feel happy, sad, angry, and everything in between. But where do they come from? Well, it’s a combo of things happening in our brains and bodies, but the real question is, what makes an emotion good or bad? It’s a mystery, but we’ll try to solve it in this blog by exploring the science behind our feelings.

First up, let’s talk about food. Yup, you read that right! What we eat can actually affect the chemicals in our brain that control our emotions. So, chow down on some yummy proteins, fats, and carbs to help boost your mood. And don’t forget those micronutrients too, they’re tiny but mighty!

• Emotions come from things happening in our brains and bodies
• Food affects the chemicals in our brain that control our emotions
• Our stomachs have special cells and neurons that can sense sugary foods
• Over 90% of serotonin is produced in our gut (Gut Health Important)
• Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil can fight depression and have similar effects to certain SSRIs
• L-carnitine has numerous benefits, including a decrease in depressive symptoms and improved sperm quality and motility
• Amino acids are super important for our bodies because they help build muscles and repair our bods
• Artificial sweeteners can shift the microbiome and potentially make it more favorable for harmful bacteria
• Mindset can have a profound effect on our bodies and how we respond to certain stimuli

SUGAR

Hey there, sugar lovers! Did you know that our body has some pretty cool sensors that can detect sugar? Yup, you read that right! It’s not just our taste buds that are in on the sweet action.

Recent research has discovered that our stomachs have special cells and neurons that can sense sugary foods, even if we can’t taste them. These sneaky sensors send signals to our brain, telling it to release dopamine, the feel-good chemical that makes us crave more of whatever we just ate.

So, even if you can’t taste the sugar in that chocolate cake, your body knows it’s there and is like “more please!” It’s like a secret sugar club that only your body is invited to. No wonder we all love sweet stuff so much!

But, as we all know, too much of a good thing can be bad. So, make sure to keep your sugar intake in check, even if your body is begging for more. And, if you ever need to impress someone with your sugar knowledge, now you know that there’s more to it than just taste buds!

Amino Acids

Amino acids are super important for our bodies because they help build muscles and repair our bods. But did you know they’re also used to create neurochemicals in our brains? One of these chemicals is dopamine, the same feel-good chemical that’s released when we eat sugary foods. So, not only do amino acids help our bodies, but they also make us feel good! You can my blog post about L-Theanine and L-tyrosine

Our brains are so smart that they usually tell us when we’ve have enough amino acids by making us feel full. It’s like a little alarm that goes off in our heads, saying “okay, that’s enough chicken for now, let’s move on.” It’s all about keeping our bodies healthy and happy!

So, next time you’re chowing down on some protein, remember that your brain is hard at work, making sure you get the right amount of amino acids to keep you feeling good. And if you ever need to impress someone with your food knowledge, now you know about amino acids and how they keep our bodies and brains in tip-top shape.

L-carnitine

The supplement with some pretty cool health benefits. It’s mainly found in meat, but don’t worry, it’s also available in non-meat sources. L-carnitine is involved in mitochondrial activation of long-chain fatty acids, which has numerous effects on our health.

Some of the benefits of L-carnitine include a decrease in depressive symptoms, improved sperm quality and motility in males, positive effects on females with polycystic ovary syndrome, a decrease in symptoms of autism, a reduction in symptoms of fibromyalgia, and even a reduced frequency of migraine attacks. Pretty amazing, huh?

Artificial sweeteners and the gut microbiome

Some studies have shown that saccharin, a common artificial sweetener, can shift the microbiome and potentially make it more favorable for harmful bacteria. But don’t worry, other common artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, stevia, and monk fruit might not have the same negative effects as saccharin.

The key to a healthy gut is finding the right diet for you. Some people feel better on a ketogenic diet, while others feel better on a vegan diet. Processed foods can be harmful regardless of whether they come from animal or non-animal sources. And don’t forget, the gut microbiome can be influenced by genetics, early life experiences, and the nervous system.

Fasting

It can be great for depleting the gut microbiome, but it can also lead to its replenishment at higher levels. However, some people might not feel great when they start eating again after a fast, possibly because of the depletion of the microbiome during the fast.