Can Anxiety, Depression and Brain Fog be caused by food?

These Ingredients Harm the Microbiome & affect Mental Health:

1. Artificial Sweeteners

• Examples: Aspartame, sucralose, saccharin.

• Gut effect: Disrupt microbial balance, reduce good bacteria.

• Mental health impact: Linked to anxiety, depression, and brain fog in some studies.

2. Refined Sugar

• Found in: Soda, candy, pastries, processed foods.

• Gut effect: Promotes harmful bacteria and yeast overgrowth (like candida).

• Mental health impact: Blood sugar spikes and crashes can worsen mood, anxiety, and inflammation.

3. Refined Carbohydrates & Ultra-Processed Foods

• Examples: White bread, crackers, chips, instant noodles.

• Gut effect: Feed harmful bacteria, increase intestinal permeability (leaky gut).

• Mental health impact: Associated with higher risk of depression and anxiety.

4. Industrial Seed Oils (high in omega-6)

• Examples: Corn oil, soybean oil, canola oil, sunflower oil (in excess).

• Gut effect: Promote inflammation and dysbiosis.

• Mental health impact: Chronic inflammation linked to depression and cognitive decline.

5. Gluten (in sensitive individuals)

• Found in: Wheat, barley, rye.

• Gut effect: Can cause gut inflammation and leaky gut in sensitive individuals.

• Mental health impact: Some people experience mood swings, brain fog, and fatigue.

Lifestyle + Food Synergy

• Mindful Eating → Lowers stress and improves digestion.

• Intermittent Fasting (when appropriate) → Can enhance microbial diversity.

• Hydration → Supports gut lining and bacterial health.

• Herbs like Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, and Lemon Balm → Support the gut-brain axis and reduce anxiety.

• Eating plenty of Fiber, which is found in fruits and vegetables