Are we being dumbed down through ultra processed food?

I’m starting to wonder if the problem with the world is that it’s chronically nutrient deficient.

There’s such an insane increase in mental health disorders. Part of me recognises that modern diagnoses and awareness is the reason for this. But I think it’s more than that…

As a collective humanity, I feel the world is more insane than it’s ever been. Just my daily observations see so much confusion, hatred and irrational behaviour being displayed. There seems to be an epidemic of intolerance in the world. And I truly struggle to believe that people are naturally that ignorant and unkind.

Yes, the media and political agendas have a lot to do with it. But it seems people have lost their abilities to use critical thinking and basic human decency.

Over the last few years I’ve been learning a lot about diet and nutrition. I’ve been on my own journey of nutritional health and can look back at my own mental health and can see a clear pattern…

When my diet has been bad, my mind has suffered.

We live in this commercialistic world, where we’re literally being fed by media. We see an advert for the Golden Arches and are start salivating. We go to the shop for milk and we impulse purchase a chocolate bar. We have cereal for breakfast because it’s Grrrrrreat.

But when was the last time you saw a picture of a carrot and started salivating? When was the last time you impulse purchased some eggs? When was the last time you ate nutrient rich offal for breakfast?

We’re actively encouraged to eat foods that contain minimal nutritional value. Even the most staple foods such as bread, cereal, milk, and alternative milks have all been messed with.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know how inspired I was by the book ‘Ultra Processed People’ by Chris van Tulleken. But there are also other great books such as ‘Grain Brain’ by Dr David Pearlmutter and ‘Pure, White & Deadly’ by John Yudkin. Just to name a few.

The evidence is out there, from reputable sources, and is publicly available for us all to learn from. We can make better choices.

I’m not saying don’t eat delicious foods. We’re all deserving of treats. But ask yourself, can my body and mind tolerate this?

I’ve introduced a few ‘hacks’ into my life, which are keeping me in much better health and allowing me to still have some delicious UPF treats…

1. Good quality supplements. I’ve been a long-time advocate of pre/probiotics. In my experience, good gut health is essential to everything! I also have thyroid issues, and have been using a new supplement which is effectively a bunch of amino acids, and it’s had an incredible impact. There’s an amazing blog here about them if you’re curious:

https://www.naturalmedicine.blog/blogs/news/solution-for-hypothyroidism

2. Gluten-free. I cannot tell you the damage gluten does to your digestive tract, and subsequent damage it has on your neurological system. It’s just so damn dangerous. People always assume I’m gluten free because of digestive health, but that’s not it at all. Gluten has a huge impact on my mental health. It also causes me severe fatigue and inflammation in my joints.

3. I do actually eat offal every day for breakfast. If I start my day with a high protein, nutrient rich breakfast - I feel unstoppable! My life and energy levels have significantly improved since I quit the cereal and started eating meat for breakfast.

You may be thinking, as a yoga teacher, that I should be vegetarian or vegan. After all, we’re supposed to practice Ahimsa (non-violence). Let me tell you, when I was trying to be vegetarian, I was being violent towards my own body. I became so unwell. I even developed an allergy to fruit and veg (called Oral Allergy Syndrome). I spent about 7 years making fresh, green juices for breakfast. My body was screaming at me, and I just ignored it. Because I’m ‘supposed to eat this way’. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I should have listened to my body.

Don’t get me wrong - I’m pro choice. I have nothing against vegetarians or vegans. And I agree that the meat industry atrocious. But we don’t need to get into that today!

One of the most interesting things I’ve learned is from the book ‘Eat Right for Your Type’ by Dr Peter J D’Adamo. We’re not all built the same, and our blood types need to be fed in different ways. I’m an O+, and D’Adamo suggests that O types need to eat meat. You may also know that I use a system called Human Design, and my digestive type in that is ‘Consecutive’ which effectively means ‘The Hunter’. These theories make so much sense for me.

And this leads me to another book I’ve been recently recommended by Katie Delaney - ’Could it be B12?’ by Sally Pacholock & Jeffry Stuart. Where it’s suggested that B12 deficiency can have severe consequences not only physically, but mentally too. That it can be as severe as to cause changes in personality. I also know that the NHS ‘acceptable’ levels for B12 are not where they should be. According to the NHWendy Budds fine, but in reality it’s low. With the help of Wendy Budd, I’ve managed to improve my B12 levels through an oral supplement and diet. And my mental health is much better.

Which is exactly why I think nutritional deficiency could well be the cause of all this angst, bitterness general unkindness in the world. Our minds are being chemically altered by the Ultra Processed Foods industry. None of us are in our right minds anymore. Because the majority of us aren’t getting the nutrients we need to support a healthy body and mind. We’re quite literally being dumbed down!

I’ll go fetch my tin foil hat now…