Ultra-processed foods will damage your brain! | Prof Felice Jacka

Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: bit.ly/46BPTYz
There is an alarming surge in ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, especially in the UK and the US, where about two-thirds of caloric intake is from UPF. This raises grave health concerns, with emerging evidence revealing the detrimental effects of UPF on brain health and overall well-being.
With the majority of our calories coming from UPF, the risk of chronic physical and mental health conditions is escalating. Scientists are now uncovering the intricate mechanisms behind this link, particularly how UPF affects the brain.
In today’s episode, we welcome back Prof. Felice Jacka OAM. Felice is Alfred Deakin Professor of Nutritional Psychiatry and the Director of the Food & Mood Centre at Deakin University in Australia. She is also the founder of the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research and the world’s leading researcher on the impact of food on the brain and mental health. And she is back on the show to delve deeper into the links between UPF and brain health, specifically the hippocampus which is responsible for cognition (learning and memory) and mental health.
If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
00:55 Quick fire questions
04:07 What is ultra processed food?
05:25 What is the NOVA classification?
08:09 How does food impact the brain?
10:26 What does the hippocampus do to influence our brain function?
12:57 Is there a link between the size of the hippocampus and diet quality?
13:41 Is there a link between the quality of diet and depression?
20:48 What are the effects of long term dietary habits?
21:42 Is there a link between poor diet and dementia
23:32 Is there a link between autism and diet?
24:14 How real is the link between diet and dementia?
25:14 What is the oral microbiome?
28:34 New trial between whole foods and vitamin enriched nutritional foods
29:53 How does processing foods impact the makeup of foods on a molecular level?
32:41 How does the biodiversity around us affect our body?
33:33 How does the industrialized food environment impact us?
36:17 How strong is the evidence for this? is it comparable to smoking?
39:59 Practical tips to help with our diet
40:59 How does reducing consumption of UPF affect us?
42:17 How to cut down on UPF
45:08 Is it too late to change your diet?
47:20 Does exercise impact our brain?
49:23 Summary
54:53 Goodbyes/Outro
Mentioned in today’s episode:
The SMILES trial, published in BMC Medicine
Link: bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com...
Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Mental Health from The Food & Mood Centre, Deakin University
Link: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35807...
Western diet is associated with a smaller hippocampus, from BMC Medicine
Link: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
Find Felice on the Food & Mood Centre website: foodandmoodcentre.com.au/team...
Follow Felice on Instagram: / proffelicejacka
Follow ZOE on Instagram: / zoe
Episode transcripts are available here: zoe.com/learn/category/podcasts
Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at [e-mail] and we’ll do our best to cover it.

[@jlarryd]

Every human desperately needs to hear this interview. It’s far too important information

[@julianshepherd2038]

That won't happen. We need our governments to give the food industry a kicking. Tricky because the food industry advertises in the media so much it affects our politics. Democracy struggles against Corporations

[@bobadams7654]

​@@julianshepherd2038good points, but it's not only because they advertise in the media, the big food companies have very powerful lobbying groups that influence policy.

[@tracysmith245]

@@julianshepherd2038 I keep watching videos about processed food and gut health it is easy to control what you eat more people go to doctors and end up having all sorts of conditions what is one thing everyone does. eat and drink. Processed foods include Pasta, microwave dinners, Ice Cream, Dairy, Red Meat, Sodas, Juice, Coffee, bottled Water even tonics, doughnuts Cakes Biscuits Breakfast Cereal is a no for me. reversed my Chronic illness.

[@fruz1378]

"Every human" Please do not consider that the western diet / lifestyle is the only one on this planet. It is not, it is probably one of the worst regarding our health, and it is not the only one.

[@beebee1255]

Fascinating. One of the best. Jonathan, don’t jump in so much!

[@MaryGadsby]

Agree!

[@p.m.8316]

agree!!

[@darlenes520]

Thank you for even acknowledging that some of us are over 80 and still interested in improving our diet!

[@sharinaross1865]

Glad your tuning in.

[@sharinaross1865]

Are you an empty nestor?

[@craigpereira4122]

Ha ha

[@littlevoice_11]

This discussion just demonstrated why NHS mental health hospital catering is so unacceptable. High fat, high sugar and refined food with low fruit and vegetables. It is exactly the same in dementia hospitals and care homes.

[@Tabitha_K]

I am so grateful to the Zoe scientists for all these podcasts! As a child I had Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), which extended into adulthood. I was an exceptionally picky eater for years and chose only to eat beige, processed foods. I actually hated food and was underweight, which was also linked to hyperactivity. Over the years I accumulated various psychiatric diagnoses, including anxiety, OCD, depression - and finally Autism. I was also constantly sick with viral infections. When the Covid pandemic began I made a huge effort to change my diet; mostly because I was terrified of Covid and wanted to improve my immune system. I gradually cut out UPFs and based my diet around vegetables, whole grains, fruits and fermented foods. I’ve now been following a healthy diet as advocating by Zoe for 3 years and I feel so much better all round!

[@vixcoady8411]

Amazing effort, well done ❤

[@Tabitha_K]

@@vixcoady8411Thank you!

[@gloriareszler4196]

Good for you!

[@multimjaou]

I

[@malcdelnorte7004]

"the diets that women eat when they're pregnant... is linked to ADHD" , yeh... careful with that shotgun approach there Prof Felice. The consensus is that ADHD is genetic. I know she didn't says "caused by" but that was a rather throw away and misleading remark. Tsssk, tsk.

[@multimjaou]

@@malcdelnorte7004 I agree, this needs more clarification. I personally have notised a big difference with my add symtoms since going refined sugar free, but it would be interesting to have more knowledge than just anecdotal data.

[@silverlinings3946]

​@malcdelnorte7004 specifically

[@AlexShiro]

@@silverlinings3946thank you for bringing up epigenetics.

[@estyzesty]

@@malcdelnorte7004agreed… it runs in my family, can see it across generations, and my parents always cooked from scratch

[@codyhenrichs9699]

I stopped eating processed foods and any foods with unnatural additives in 1976. I read labels and was mocked by so for doing so back then.

[@essexcaz5685]

I am forever grateful to my parents who taught me to cook from scratch with fresh ingredients! I honestly think that the Western diet is so poor because nobody cooks anymore. My local High Street is full of takeaways and delivery mopeds.

[@ASbslLoves]

It is so good to hear this. What great parents! Which part of the world are you living in?

[@gloriareszler4196]

So agree. Why does he keep repeating what the special guest has just said. And let he or she finish! Please❤

[@user-zg3rg3ng2k]

We are in the last quarter of the year and as much as I will like to remain optimistic that things will get better soonest, the facts state otherwise The govt are more preoccupied about the coming elections. And truth be told, they never really care about the citizens that much. Take care of your finances the best you can esp ahead of the early part of next year. Things get worse before they get better. We just have to try and remain afloat before this saga passes through

[@vipushiya7594]

I'm 54 and my wife and I are VERY worried about our future, gas and food prices rising daily. We have had our savings dwindle with the cost of living into the stratosphere, and we are finding it impossible to replace them. We can get by, but can't seem to get ahead. My condolences to anyone retiring in this crisis, 30 years nonstop just for a crooked system to take all you worked for

[@rajeshrajan6200]

If you do not have a balanced portfolio or planned for this, it’s gonna hit you harder. Mary Elizabeth Huxley warned about this. Said it will take about 5 years before things get back to normal since the pandemic. And it’s not far from the truth of what’s happening.

[@edwardratcliffe9177]

Why is everyone recommending her recently? Is she like the next Cathy Wood or Warren Buffet? Is she that good?

[@rajeshrajan6200]

She's easily one of the top manage'rs in the US right now. If financial genius was a person, she's the one. I know first hand because I use her services too

[@vipushiya7594]

What makes her different from other advisors. I have worked with some and didn’t like the results I got

[@PhilipNelson1991]

This type of insight should informing policy at a deep level. We need to move away from mono cropping mega farms and industrial food production back to localised, regenerative mixed farming methods that encourage the consumption of whole foods. We all know it’s healthy, and it tastes better and it doesn’t mean giving up things like meat and dairy etc… just eating less but better quality!

[@eSKAone-]

There is a gigantic lobby you know. It begins with soda machines in schools. Probably even earlier.

[@JARABACOA3]

Agro-quimical lobby?

[@sarahsnowe]

@@eSKAone- You're so right, but governments aren't going to extract themselves from the pockets of Big Food any time soon, so it's down to individuals to educate themselves. (This doesn't mean you shouldn't complain loudly and frequently to the authorities and the media.) If people didn't snack between meals, as was considered normal when I was growing up ("You'll spoil your dinner!") they might save enough money to buy better quality and more ethical food like organic fruit and veg and organic meat from humanely raised animals. Snack "foods" can be quite expensive. People need to learn to shop wisely and cook from scratch. They'd have more time to do that if they wasted less time scrolling through their devices. Also, you can save money by intermittent fasting. Eliminating breakfast enables you to buy better quality food for lunch and dinner. :--)

[@kate60]

Meat and dairy are the source of heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Eat plants

[@juliebarker6930]

The food policy comment towards the end is VITALLY important. Why are our politicians condemning our population to poor health by backing off essential population health interventions? The last decent legislation that made a massive impact was the banning of smoking in public places: controversial & brave at the time but no-one would ever dare to suggest it should be reversed.

[@juliebarker6930]

Ive already shared a link with several friends/family who need to hear it & will be sharing it with my patients on a regular basis.

[@ericagee6299]

I’m in the middle (opinion wise) about Johnathan jumping in with the guests. At times I’d like these interruptions shorter but mostly, they keep me listening by summarising for me and having a variety of voices. Johnathan I imagine is also doing this for his own sake so he can make his clear summaries at the end. Thanks Zoe! Great podcasts- love how you signpost the exact moments on the video. I share with my two adult kids with babies of their own in the hope that they’ll act on this science that wasn’t around when I was a young parent.

[@lambsquartersfarm]

In a world that made sense, UPF wouldn't get subsidized to create unhealthy people who, in countries with social healthcare, increase the cost and weigh down the healthcare system. Perhaps, the Gov't should fund whole foods instead and save us all a lot money and health troubles... if only...

[@andrewroberts8959]

Far too rational and not enough money to be made

[@pida9669]

Back in 2010 I started reading the ingredients of the foods I ate and cut back significantly on those that contained added salt, sweeteners, and MSG-the key ingredients that make foods extra delicious. Within three weeks, my lifelong chronic anxiety and irritability virtually disappeared and never returned. Diet was also key in overcoming my clinical depression. Food has a _huge_ impact on mood.

[@pjcdm]

Brief talk on alcohol consumption should not be dismissed. That is also an issue.

[@user-mv7os2pk2j]

One of my favourite Zoe interviews, thank you! Felice you mention writing to local MPs to put pressure on to change policies around the growing of food, labelling etc. Can I ask would you or Zoe be willing to draft such a letter that people can adapt if they wish/or not and use to send to their MPs? I think this would really help the amount of people that would then do this.

[@borntotravel4421]

Yes, great idea-- where do I sign. Also sending this interview in an email to my representatives in Congress.

[@odetbeauvoisin]

Such an important podcast. Thank you immensely for the questions you ask throughout this interview. The answers were always clarifying. The simple fact that Jonathan’s asked those questions helped me feel less “stoopid". Much appreciated.

[@susydyson1750]

please give us the guests full name as not everyone has great eye sight to read ! a superb program today!!! and rathervenjoyed listening to Fekice have a chuckle once in. a while!

[@julianshepherd2038]

I live near 3 supermarkets and a bakery and none of their bread is proper bread.

[@Ricky-bl7yz]

New podcast video from from Zoe= click immediately

[@ron9465]

Thank you so much for your programs. Learning a lot while enjoying listening to you all.

[@amaracardamine3837]

Absolutely brilliant podcast! Thank you Zoe.

[@roswithabed3650]

She is tremendously informative ❤

[@greenknitter]

I would have listened to her for a lot longer. Very informative indeed.

[@bob9749]

Very useful presentation, thanks. I found that Zoe's breaking in and summarizing was a little offputting a few times. Perhaps that is because Professor Jacka's Australian accent was different enough to me that I had to concentrate on what she was saying to follow her, more than is the case with some people. There were time that Zoe's breaking in to summarize while she was in the midst of making her point broke my concentration and it took some work when going back from his voice to hers. Presumably for other people it was different, but for me it would have been more useful at times if he'd waited a bit to do his summarizing of her points. Thanks again for the useful information.

[@user-bc2qt7th8c]

Thank you, that explained clearly why, when I changed my diet about three months ago, my appetite disappeared.

[@darlenes520]

I appreciate Jonathan's questions and clarification of points. Much easy to listen and absorb information than an expert doing a long description of the science or a specific study. I can read her book if I want details. I am not looking for a "lecture " on this site.

[@bonniepoole1095]

I've heard much of this information scattered throughout the media. Professor Jacka puts it all together in a concise and understandable way. Thanks you for this post!

[@KnackFarmer-theanswerismeat]

I've a dear friend in the UK who has been diagnosed with cognitive issues / early stage of dementia - I wish I were there to really influence her dietary choices along the lines discussed. There is SO MUCH we have control over ... it's about getting the word out and making individual choices.

[@jacobbutts6109]

What are her symptoms, if you don't mind me asking.

[@wackthegood8884]

Jonathan, please stop interrupting! We want to listen to the guest, and she is very clear in her explanations, so we don't need you to 'ask questions on our behalf'. It's a fascinating topic, and you mean well, but we want to listen to her!!

[@highburycb7344]

Agree and I’m so glad it’s not just me who thinks this.

[@amaracardamine3837]

I like the way he stopps, clarifies, and gives you another chance to absorb the dense amount of info in this podcast.

[@MaryGadsby]

Agree wholeheartedly, I want to have my whole family watch this but it’s so hard to follow with the interruptions

[@m3ade]

Agree. He took her onto a different topic a few times when I wanted her to finish the topic she was on. So interesting

[@andrewd4748]

I slightly disagree with this sorry, there is a fair bit of jargon that may be unfamiliar to some who are listening to info on this topic for the first time. So the interruptions and summaries are helpful context to ensure the information is fully accessible to more people.

[@Leeidealist]

I am annoyed whenever he cuts off the other guests, especially women

[@pjcdm]

Could you please turn the all language caption feature on all the videos (or just the great videos like this one)? I love the interviews and the channel (and the delivery). So many more people who don't understand English could use the information, as major corporations & corrupt governments will not inform the public. Let me know if you need help. It is a 3 or 4 click process. No need of editing.

[@ednalama4244]

Zoe, thank you for these very interesting podcasts !!!

[@bobadams7654]

Fascinating, but also very disturbing. Society is so out of line with good health. PS I find Jonathan's summaries are very useful in helping to clarify the information.

[@vkman34]

Excellent - one of the best Zoe videos so far.

[@shelaghl7981]

These podcasts are brilliant. Have made such a difference to me, thank you!

[@cherylchapman5136]

Excellent podcast as usual! Thank you Zoe!

[@angelawilliamson6765]

Top notch discussion, she knows her stuff he is fantastic , he summarises very well with quality questions

[@sarahangwin7610]

Love these podcasts. So much information to digest but fantastic. Thank you.

[@ReflectedMiles]

It's easier to digest a Tootsie Roll.

[@klauslispector]

WOW what a podcast. I've learned heaps. Thank you Zoe and thanks to the wonderful guest!

[@jgurka2105]

Excellent presentation, balanced and very informative. Thank you both.

[@wendywilliams9893]

Thanks as always for this truly inspiring interview. Learnt a huge amount . This should be taught in schools.

[@nicosaloneftis6345]

Revolutionary and insightful podcast. Loved all the advice too, thank you!

[@johnsonkabuga1919]

Very good information from the professor but too much interruption from the person carrying out the interview

[@sharonche5042]

For those of you who avoid dairy and use oat/nutmilk - have a look at the ingredients! Not so healthy!

[@julianshepherd2038]

Just did that. I do dairy and some soya milk and the brand I buy is pretty good. It's not impossible to do but I agreed, check the ingredients

[@m3ade]

Love this. Please get Prof Felice Jacka back on as she clearly has a lot more to say. I felt Jonathan jumped in a little too much on this one.

[@lynne9870]

Agreed... I wish he'd shut up a bit

[@juliahutchinson4542]

Disagree

[@user-nh2il4nu2q]

Thank you. That was another facinating pod cast from which I learned so much. As ever, brilliantly presented too. Thank you to the team at Zoe :)

[@T-gp5tf]

This is a brilliant podcast and thank you for the amazing information. I love the quick fire questions at the start too.

[@janewood9280]

This is why i bought a share in Zoe. THANK YOU

[@JARABACOA3]

Bread should be only 4 ingredients but you can read at least 4 more.

[@Peter-ud9bx]

Brilliant! Great programme. So interesting and, it seems, important.

[@marthacolvin6834]

This was a GREAT video!!! Thank You!

[@jaybee8581]

What a great video. I'm so glad Zoe is around. I have learned much about diet and nutrition watching these videos, and feeling comfort in the fact that I've been eating fairly good on a very limited pension. Sadly, Zoe isn't in Australia yet, but I've signed up and am on the waiting list for when they do include Australia. Many thanks Zoe, keep up the excellent work :)

[@glenysrentoul204]

I second that.

[@AP-ri5ph]

I love the content of your podcast, but i feel its constantly 'interupted' & it affects the flow. Anyhow, thanks for sharing - its was powerful 🙏🙏🙏

[@trishwilder7158]

Wow! Food for thought! Go Felice and the Food and Mood Centre in Melbourne. Now I’m off to the Gym!

[@howardgould1079]

Excellent podcast. Given Zoe's interest in intermittent fasting, was a little surprised that there was no question about any link between fasting and, eg the hippocampus. Will this be covered in a later podcast?

[@Art_is_life]

THANK YOU 🙏🏼

[@natures_child]

Another fascinating and insightful interview. Thank you Zoe and Felice. I guess the old saying is true: you are what you eat!

[@carodee7113]

What a wonderful knowledgeable speaker

[@RSLtreecare]

Fascinating, I'll come back. This is very important.

[@butching6665]

💥 - Dear 'Zoe', it's fabulous and delightful to be able to listen to such a podcast. Thank you. Dear Prof Felice Jacka, 👍, it was greatly appreciated to be able to hear your thoughts on this from you. THANK YOU.

[@helenpayne840]

So interesting and impactful - personal changes coming now!

[@J.R.Y.]

I sent this video to my mom. I really hope it encourages her to eat better. It's sure adding motivation for me, personally!

[@conniecasas4955]

Gracias!

[@ldavies3280]

I’ve been wondering for a while if the no-dig method of growing veg was connected to the Zoe research into microbes. It emphasises supporting the microbes in the soil by not disrupting them, and just feeding them with a top dressing of home-produced compost. Delighted to hear that it almost certainly is, after listening to this. My veg does very well on it, and I haven’t used any fertilisers, even organic ones, for years. If you’re interested, the Charles Dowding channel on here explains the method.

[@sandramasson123]

It encouraging worms that is essential. Worms add so many minerals to the soil, of course the mycology adds to this too. I wish more people had made this connection!

[@frithar]

Ruth Stout really popularized the method early on so hunting out a video or two about her is really inspirational too! Cheers

[@nml1930]

Thanks so much!

[@Swayeee]

I've been suffering from eczema for years, rashes all over body. After years of food elimination I started to realise it wasn't any particular food, but instead when I ate bad in general over a short period of time. My thinking was that wheat was too hard on my gut. My journey into investigating inflammation led me here and now I realise how deep this goes. I have now cut out as much processed food as realistically possible (I had no idea sweetener in my coffee was so bad!) And I'm feeling great. No rashes have come up since. All doctors wanted to do was address the symptoms but this is going right to the cause! Thanks for getting this message out there. It's totally changed the way I look at food and the industry surrounding it.

[@michaelstreeter3125]

45:34 *THIS* is what I've been waiting to hear from Zoe! The in-app recipes are too complicated for me.

[@ellikay2590]

I'd love to be part of the Zoe study but unfortunately I live in Australia. Will it be available here soon?

[@SMARTvoterWorld]

What steps were taken to insure the 60% aging hippocampus effect of diet was not correlative. People who just each junk are often also passive mentally and physically.. from an early age.

[@PySnek]

It''s complete bs. The western world still invents the greatest things for nearly all sectors. Nothing comes close.

[@marko7425]

Brilliant podcast. But what about 'forever chemicals' etc., that affect our metabolic systems, bisphenols from plastic packaging. I think most tins/ cans are lined with plastic so best choose jars if possible

[@2weedogs]

I am extremely interested in this topic, but I find the podcast structure really offputting. Rather than clarifying the guests points, the host often seems to interrupt the guest and fracture the flow of information. It gets better as it goes on, but the first 10 - 15 minutes is hard to sit through.

[@sueroberts5432]

You're talking about mouth microbial health. Is toothpaste with all its antimicrobials a bad thing to use?

[@TheNutmegStitcher]

At 55, I've given up alcohol completely, adopted a whole food mostly plant based diet (occasional meat, fish), added fermented foods, and started progressive overload strength training. Also HRT to add estrogen and progesterone back into the equation. My sleep is good. I've never felt better. Here's hoping my aging brain responds well.❤ I still forget my keys.

[@yvonnecoogan8287]

Very interesting guest, but please let her speak and stop jumping in and interupting her.

[@BB-ux5wd]

Hello, I loved listening to this talk today. I do wish I could of asked Prof a question. My question would be : Does time-restricting affect brain health and is there an ideal window to consume meals specifically for brain health? Thank you.

[@killforkylie]

As always that was really interesting. Thank you.

[@MsMousepusher]

The implications of the government strategy for the dentistry service are huge if it affects the mental health of the population as described.

[@brendafosmire6519]

Fantastic

[@andrewmainprice2179]

Can you outline practical budget suggestions to make our diet more healthy.

[@ebnanaann5644]

I try to eat UPF's in moderation, and healthy food when possible and I have been making my own Keffir for years. I'm 75 and reasonably fit.

[@PiotrNowak-ol2ip]

It's really important to keep away from processed food and eat healthy/whole food as much as possible. I give myself 30mins to an hour to meditate to ready myself mentally every day. I'm also taking Dihexa from nextchems to increase my mental stamina.

[@claranunes4872]

Such a useful episode, thank you. I worry about the plastic involved in frozen food as well as the plastic lining of cans used for food. Should I be?

[@macsmiffy2197]

Some cans are lined to stop the acid in the product from eating into the tin.

[@extrememinimalism]

what if food stores had labels that said 'not processed at all' at the front of the storage to 'highly processed' at the back of the store.

[@angelawilliamson6765]

I'm pleased she highlighted the government very inadequate policy linked to the food industry we are so effected by it and the destruction of top soil!! Keep the diet whole, varied & fibre veg & simple, there are cheap ways around having a healthy, blood she mentioned this as well!!

[@millertas]

Have this on the background. From around 30:00 she talks about compounds we haven't discovered. Heard on ABC Radio that Blueberries have a compound that helps prevent Alzeheimers.

[@joanhall3718]

I loved this podcast. I was confused because there was no introduction to prof. Felica, ( I’m not sure of her last name). On future interviews please give your guests a proper introduction.

[@johnhmrolt]

It's mentioned in the top comment above, along with other info .. :)

[@childofthe50s53]

Prof Felice Jacka. Her name is in the video title

[@tarafriend100]

If the audio or video annoy then the transcript version is available. At the beginning of the transcript, it introduces the Prof. and her background . I use the Zoe app, so get email updates with links to these talks.

[@macsmiffy2197]

What has happened to the Cox apples and other British varieties which used to dominate the shelves in the supermarket this time of year?

[@eSKAone-]

It's easy: stick to things that have only 1 ingredient (you can throw them together obviously for a meal) I consider whole grain pasta to be healthy, but you should have them split up in to maximum 2 meals a day, and with a good amount of healthy plant seed oils (I prefer olive). Other than that I eat nuts and vegetables. Only drink water, coffee, and tea without milk or sugar. If you're vegan have your vit.B12 and a good source of omega-3 fatty acids (like algae oil), maybe vit.D if you're a nightshift worker or not out in the sun much, and you're good. I'm 40 years old, athletic, everyone thinks I'm much younger. Take good care of your bodies folks 💟

[@imhassane]

Yeah I agree, I'm 23 and this year I went plant based. My meals are based around beans, lentils, oatmeal, bananas, oranges and three nuts (almonds, walnuts and peanuts). I get my omega 3s from mackerel and sardines. It's actually pretty easy to follow and very satiating.

[@sarahsnowe]

Regarding prepped supermarket salads, I'd always understood that leaving cut veggies for even a few hours diminishes their nutrients. Anybody know? (Also, these products always come wrapped in wasteful plastic.) Of course, even these salads are superior to other "ready meals."

[@mignonelliott8727]

Have you ever heard of the product NAD+ therapy and what is your view on it?

[@nicolesmith4490]

It would be amazing to see studies done on diet and neurodegenerative conditions such as Huntington's Disease, in hopes that the progression could be slowed or even halted. I don't know what all has been done thus far, but the disease runs in my paternal family. When I talked to a neurologist, I was hoping my thoughts about diet would be valid, but even he said there's nothing solid showing diet has a positive effect. Of course, what kind of diet are most on? Not one that's as healthy as what would be needed, I imagine.

[@user-zx5ym2kc5e]

Very clear explanation from Prof . Jacka. Thank you . But I am surprised to hear that people are astonished tomlearn thst food is linked to brain health. I mean : we are what we eat after all!

[@nataliepayne7436]

Interesting beyond words. This information should be taught at grass roots in schools.

[@no-oneinparticular7264]

Explain why supermarkets are having fantastic offers on all kinds of junk food these days. Seems to me, the government needs to step in...

[@garymacdonald7165]

So what are the 4 foods?

[@chriscafferkey7736]

I have a question. I have an ileostomy due to burst fistula and damage therefor to my bladder. So now NO functioning large bowel. So will my body produce the chemicals normally made there or am I doomed to stay depressed, forgetful and anxious? I have always cooked my food from scratch and not eaten a lot of UPFs. Also grew food organically but now can't as damaged back. Before this I was VERY active. Not that's impossible. Have auto-immune disorders. Hashimotos thyroiditis, and Addison's so cortisone dependant. I can't get dietary advice as no-one is willing to put all this together for me. Is eating fresh fruit, salads etc going to help?

[@AlexShiro]

Professor Rucklidge in Uni of Canterbury New Zealand and Emiritus Professor Kaplan in Canada have done some excellent studies and research into food and mental health, in schizoaffective disorders and also ADHD and trauma treatment.

[@annwilliams6438]

If you watch any cleaning or hoarder house shows where the householder uses their home as a trash tip, the packaging shows that they basically eat ultra processed foods almost exclusively. It is a McDonalds and donuts diet showing up vs empty apple, carrot and bean packets… no surprise that these people are deeply depressed, anxious and cannot make decisions and are heavily fatigued.