Nutrition improves mental health better than prescription medication
- Apr 23, 2016
- 1 min read
Clinical psychologist, Julia Rucklidge, delivers an enlightening TED talk on the importance of nutrition and it’s role in mental health.
Dr. Rucklidge advises us that despite the array of medications on the market, mental illness continues to rise, and she asks, “If current medications are effective, shouldn’t mental illness be decreasing rather than increasing?”
One of the studies she conducted consisted of a placebo trial, where adult participants were given vitamins and minerals, also known as micro-nutrients, to treat ADHD. In just 8 weeks, twice as many people responded who were in the micro-nutrient group, than those in the placebo group. Those who continued with the micro-nutrients continued to see positive results, and those who went back to medication showed worsening of symptoms.
According to the findings revealed in her research, current prescriptions are only effective on a short term basis, however on a long term basis, medications are ineffective, and in some cases detrimental.
Dr. Rucklidge stresses that nutrition matters, and that poor nutrition is a significant risk factor for the development of mental illness.
“We need to get serious about the critical role played by nutrition.”
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To watch Dr Rucklidge's TED talk video, please click on the link below:
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