Intelligence Squared Food for Thought: How Nutrition Affects Our Minds
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Aug 13, 2023 Discover the powerful connection between nutrition and mental health with insights from psychologist Kimberley Wilson. Learn how unprocessed foods can enhance cognitive well-being amidst rising mental health concerns. The conversation dives into the effects of dietary deficiencies on disorders, emotional states, and brain development, particularly for expecting mothers. Additionally, the discussion highlights the challenges food banks face in providing healthy options in low-income communities, emphasizing the importance of improving access to nutritious diets.
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Brain Health Crisis
- A "brain health crisis" encompasses various concerns like declining IQ scores, neurodevelopmental disorders, and dementia.
- Nutrition plays a crucial role in mitigating these risks, offering a malleable factor for improvement.
Reversing Flynn Effect
- The Flynn effect, a historical trend of rising IQs, is reversing in Western countries, potentially due to factors like reduced neurotoxin exposure and better nutrition.
- Iodine deficiency, a preventable factor, can lower IQ by up to 15 points, highlighting nutrition's impact on cognitive development.
Mind-Body Connection
- Emotions are a synthesis of bodily sensations and external information interpreted by the brain.
- Neglecting the body's signals, like hunger, can hinder mental health treatment focusing solely on thoughts.
