Discovering Nutrition with Cronometer

Episode 19: Nourishing the Mind with Dr. Uma Naidoo

Dec 29, 2023

Dr. Uma Naidoo, a Harvard trained Nutritional Psychiatrist, discusses the connection between diet and mental health, focusing on nutritional approaches to anxiety. She explores the gut-brain axis, provides practical tips on managing anxiety through diet, and shares the six pillars to a calm mind.

41:45

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Episode guests

Uma Naidoo

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Nutrition plays a significant role in managing anxiety and nurturing mental well-being through the gut-brain connection.

Prioritizing whole foods, healthy fats, and micronutrients like vitamins and minerals can improve mental health and anxiety management.

Deep dives

The Connection Between Diet and Mental Health

Dr. Uma Naidu discusses the impact of diet on mental well-being. She highlights the increasing prevalence of anxiety, especially during the pandemic. Dr. Naidu shares her personal experiences with anxiety and emphasizes the importance of lifestyle measures in managing anxiety. She promotes the use of nutrition as a tool to address mental health concerns and explains the gut-brain connection. Dr. Naidu suggests starting with small dietary adjustments and paying attention to macronutrients and micronutrients, such as healthy fats and vitamins. She also advises moderation with caffeine and alcohol consumption.

Introduction

3min

Anxiety, its Prevalence, and Causes

8min

The Connection Between Food and Mental Health

12min

The Role of Nutritional Psychiatry in Mental Health

8min

Identifying Deficiencies and the Role of Supplements

2min

Lavender and the Effects of Caffeine and Alcohol on Anxiety

4min

The Six Pillars to a Calm Mind

4min

This month we interviewed Dr. Uma Naidoo, a Harvard trained Nutritional Psychiatrist, professional chef, and nutritional biologist, and author of the bestselling This is Your Brain on Food and her new book, Calm Your Mind with Food.

In this episode Uma shares her unique insights on how what we eat affects our mental health. We explore her ground-breaking approach to nourishing both body and mind, exploring the complex connection between diet and brain health. Prepare to be inspired as Dr. Naidoo guides us through practical, science-backed tips for eating our way to a happier, healthier state of mind.

Key Notes:

Focus on nutritional psychiatry and the connection between diet and mental health.
How do certain nutrients influence one’s mental well-being.
Naidoo discusses the prevalence of anxiety and how nutrition plays a significant role in managing it.
Naidoo’s personal experiences with anxiety.
The gut-brain axis: How the gut and brain are interconnected, and how this connection influences mental health.
Nutritional approaches to anxiety and how various micronutrients can help in maintaining well-being.
Naidoo’s book Calm Your Mind with Food.
Practical tips and advice on how to manage anxiety through diet.
The Six Pillars to a calm mind.