Nutrition and Mental Wellbeing Dr Angela Genoni BSc(Hons), PhD, - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences Nutrition and Mental Wellbeing Dr Angela Genoni BSc(Hons), PhD, R.Nutr.

Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences It is all inter-related Gut Microbiome Mental Diet Health

Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences Human Gut Microbiota Microbiota = all the living organisms - bacteria, fungi, viruses, bacteriophages   Microbiome = collective genomes of microbes Usually living in harmony with each other and the host each providing mutual benefit to the other  Bifidobacterium and Lactobaccillus are associated with health

Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences Today’s Mental Health Facts  Mental health stats –  20% of the population experienced a common mental disorder in a 12-month period  Anxiety disorders were the most prevalent, 1 in 7 (14%)  Affective disorders (depression), 1 in 16 (6.2%)(Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2016).

Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences Today’s Diet Facts  Diet stats –  99% children and 66% adults did not eat recommended serves of vegetables  > 2 / 3 children and ½ adults do not limit free sugars to less than 10% total energy intake  30%, 3 in 10 consumed recommended serves of grain (cereal) foods (AIHW)  1 / 3 of these were whole grains (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2015)

Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences Gut-Brain Axis – Our 2 nd Brain Early research • Stress affected types of microbes found in mice • Altering microbiome of mice https://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/en/turned-two- brains/ affected their stress and anxiety behaviour https://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/en/whats-the-link-between-gut-microbiota-the-brain-check-it-out-with-this-video/

Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences The Gut-Brain Axis https://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/en/gut-brain-axis/

Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences Microbes and Mood https://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/en/turned-two-brains/

Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences The Problem

Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences Short Chain Fatty Acids

Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences Fibre Deprived Diet

Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences Links with workplace health • Promotion of good nutrition in the workplace may have effects well beyond standard risks of chronic disease – Focus on improved health rather than weight reduction • High fibre diets linked with reduced depression and anxiety → ↑ productivity • Good nutrition in the workplace should be considered as important as more traditional risk management

Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences Implementation • Catered lunches should be low fat, high fibre • Swap morning tea cakes/biscuits with seasonal fruit platters • Fruit bowl instead of biscuit tins • Encourage physical activity, walking meetings, stand up desks • Encourage involvement in healthy eating programmes

Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences Workplace wellness programmes https://myhealthybalance.com.au/Home

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