If you are not getting the nutrition you need, then why do you think your brain will continue to function like it should? Our brain needs glucose to function and when glucose is scarce (after any overnight fast), one of the first things to go are the calming neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that keep us level, happy and energetic.
When we skip breakfast, our brains are already working on a glucose deficit, so we start our day off with less resilience! While we may think coffee is the best way to get us focused on our work, we cannot forget about the importance of nutrition!
When we restrict calories in an effort to drastically lose weight fast, our body compensates for it by slowing our metabolism down. Our brain doesn’t know when we will get nutrition again so it stops all the “unnecessary for survival functions” such as digestion, mood regulation and fertility. This causes symptoms such as bloating, constipation, menstrual changes, and worsening mood.
1200 calorie diets are not the way to get healthy. But it sure is a way to change your mood and give you tummy troubles! And don’t get me started on “intermittent fasting”….that’s for another post!
Looking for a new PCP who can help? Come check us out to learn more!
Farah Myers is a Family Nurse Practitioner with Cool Creek Family Health, a direct primary care (DPC) clinic in Carmel, Indiana. DPC is a model of value based healthcare that allows the patient (you) better access and a more personal relationship with your healthcare provider. Contact us today to learn how we put you in the driver’s seat of your healthcare and can make you love your primary care experience again!
