Whatup world?!
Nutrition and hydration's effects on mental health and athletic performance is a topic often overlooked, but of great importance. Dr. Julia Rucklidge and Julia Ross are two experts in this field that I have followed since 2013, when a colleague gave me a copy of "The Mood Cure," by Julia Ross. After reading her insights, I began looking into this line of thinking and found literature and speeches from Dr. Rucklidge and haven't been the same since. I wanted to share some of their research with all of you.
Most people recognize that proper nutrition is vital for achieving athletic performance. However, it is mostly gone unnoticed in it's importance for achieving optimal mental health to improve physical performance. Nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids play a crucial role in supporting brain function and promoting overall well-being. Deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to negative effects on mental health, including mood disorders, anxiety, and depression. All while consuming excessive amounts of sugar and processed foods that cause inflammation. (which creates more issues than I have time to discuss today)
In her research, Dr. Rucklidge has explored the impact of nutrition on mental health conditions such as ADHD and bipolar disorder. Her studies have shown that specific nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and B vitamins, can significantly improve symptoms in these disorders. Minimizing the symptoms of these illnesses through proper nutrition and hydration create a pathway to overall well-being enhancing athletic potential.
Ross, a renowned nutritionist, takes it a step further to focus on how nutrition affects athletic performance. She emphasizes the importance of consuming adequate nutrients to fuel the body before, during, and after physical activity. Understanding that "a calorie isn't a calorie," but that the nutrients within the calorie are of greater importance. Athletes need to be more aware of their personal macros needs, as well as, caloric needs to know how and when to best fuel the body. Correct hydration is also crucial for maintaining optimal performance, as even slight dehydration can have negative effects on cognitive function, mood, and physical endurance. It's long been thought that 8 glasses of water per day is the answer for everyone. When in fact, your age, activity, weight, metabolism and the weather all play a role in determining your hydration needs. When you're dehydrated, you lose energy and can have mental fog that delays response time and can even cause confusion.
Both Dr. Rucklidge and Ross advocate for a personalized approach to nutrition and hydration. They suggest assessing individual needs as they can vary based on factors such as age, sex, body composition, and activity level. Tailoring dietary plans and supplementing with specific nutrients can optimize mental health and athletic performance.
In short, nutrition and hydration have a profound impact on mental health and athletic performance. Both Dr. Julia Rucklidge and Julia Ross emphasize the importance of consuming a balanced diet and staying adequately hydrated for optimal well-being and peak performance. By considering their research and recommendations, individuals can make informed choices to support their mental and physical health. I highly recommend reviewing your diet to determine if you are using food efficiently. I find it interesting (and angering) that people are quick to ingest medications for quick fixes from pain and/or illness, but are hesitant and skeptical to make the effort to use food and nutrition as preventatives from the issues in the first place.
Kommentarer