The surprisingly dramatic role of nutrition in mental health | Julia Rucklidge | TEDxChristchurch

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. In this critically important talk, clinical psychologist Julia Rucklidge explores a range of scientific research, including her own, showing the significant role played by nutrition in mental health or illness.

Julia J Rucklidge, PhD is a Professor of Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. Originally from Toronto, she did her training in neurobiology (McGill) and Clinical Psychology (University of Calgary). Her interests in nutrition and mental illness grew out of her own research showing poor outcomes for children with significant psychiatric illness despite receiving conventional treatments for their conditions. For the last 6 years, she has been investigating the role of micronutrients in the expression of mental illness, specifically ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, anxiety and more recently, stress and PTSD associated with the Canterbury earthquakes.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[lznelsp]

I recently went off my antidepressants and started a whole food diet of veggies, fruit, chicken, tofu, and fish, and am amazed at how I feel. My partner doesn't recognize me... in a GOOD way. My energy has tripled, my sleep is the best it's ever been, I'm crushing workouts, and I haven't had a panic attack or depressive episode since the diet began. This TED Talk is the real deal. I wish more people knew.

[gaiainanna]

No food is cheap food. The price is paid somewhere. Nicely said

[gp]

As a society I think we don't educate kids enough about how important foundational habits are to lifelong health for themselves and their children. Moderate exercise, healthy food, strong communities, loving and safe home environments, all of these things are so fundamental to the mental health outcomes of everybody.

[OzSafe]

When I was 15yo I was diagnosed with a mental illness and placed in a mental asylum. 45 years later I discovered I had a biological illness, not a mental one. For the past 7 years I have stuck to a strict diet high in nutrition and have not relapsed. I now live a life free from prescribed drugs, physiologists and mental homes.

[SeanFlembling]

98% reduction in cost is exactly why big pharma will fight this tooth and nail to their dying breath. Their greed will kill us all so long as they can get rich in the process. Thank you for your inspirational research

[MasteringAdulthood]

Nutrition, Exercise, Mindfulness Meditation, and Sleep. These are the foundations of the skills I teach as a behavioral psychologist. Soon we will look back on these as the dark ages of mental health, and embrace what our bodies need! Thank you for this inspirational talk!

[aaroncorrea]

I can’t believe we need scientific studies to connect these dots, but glad this message is getting out there…

[savannahl]

I was terribly depressed in college--burnt out from taking full time credits and working full time. I "took a year off" (crashed and burned) but in that time off I went vegan. Started eating fresh, whole foods. It turned my life around, truly.

[christopherfiorentino]

I switched to a whole food diet one week ago for health problems and was amazed at how it has affected my mood..for the first time in eight years, I made it through an entire day without a single panic attack or depressive episode

[veenajagger]

"We are not what we eat but we are what we absorb". Wisely said.

[rustyb.]

also, when an individual makes the decision to eat healthier, this action is recognized by their psyche as self-love, which has automatically a positive impact on their mental health. exercise, personal cleanliness, dressing in a way that makes you feel comfortable and so on all equal positivity, which leads to better mental health.

[angelusa]

I took care of children in the US where the family was ok giving the kids the same every day and I had to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch for the 3 years I was there and being an Italian myself) I was shocked to see the little knowledge the parents had and how there was no way for me to tell them they were making a mistake in feeding the children with the same thing without any nutrients. I felt powerless because I was "only" a nanny from another country and not from there. Angela, Umbria Italy :)

[rygi]

This woman is BRAVE. Bless her heart for speaking truth. Many before her that support natural remedies over those that profit big pharmaceutical have been dealt with swiftly. Being malnourished is making us nuts.

[tea]

20 years later, I proved my Stanford doctor WRONG. I did not need to be on medication for the rest of my life for bipolar. and I’m doing great!

[gracewells]

This is so interesting because when I first saw this I instantly thought mental illnesses were becoming more common because they’re more spoken about, and we have a better understanding of the them. But then I thought about how my sister was diagnosed with anxiety about 5 years ago. Around the same time she started to get really healthy, just by chance, to lose weight. She was exercising regularly and eating well. She had therapy but was never given medication. I can remember what she was like before she was diagnosed, I saw her have lots of panic attacks and how she would obsess and worry about things, talking to me about the same things constantly. And she’s kept up that diet and exercise since, and has been SO much better since I can’t even tell you. I know she didn’t have the micronutrients, and I’m sure the therapy helped, but it really shows mental health can be affected by how healthy we are :)

[als]

8 years later, this talk well stands the test of time.
There is no question now of the value of nutrition and the effects of the ' western diet' on young people and their futures.
Just look at America today, the obesity, the unhappiness in many, the gang lifestyle, the incarceration rate, the prescription uptake .
Thanks for posting !!
Wish this researcher well, she gets it !!

[CarissaWyles]

7 years later and this talk is still so important. Can YouTube blow this up again?

[Joe-skfz]

All I did was make sure I got 6-9 servings of veggies a day, take a few low-cost supplements for some chronic illnesses I've had and stopped binge eating. I eat whatever I want, in moderation and make sure I get in these nutrients. I'm improving drastically in my anxiety and depression.

[kaavyajaishankar]

I think it's important to note that ADHD and Autism are types of neurodiversity. There are other things that influence the rise of diagnoses, including awareness from health professionals, teachers and parents and access to information. Increased awareness of how ASD and ADHD present in women has also increased. It might not account entirely for the increase, but still a really important consideration to have.
Not to dispute the argument and evidence here, just some points to add for context 😊

[sally]

I have been on a whole food plant based diet since 1986. When I backslide and eat a cookie or two, I can feel the difference almost instantly in my brain. Thinking is slower and my ability to concentrate is markedly reduced and I don't feel sharp. Not to mention the sluggishness I feel physically. Why don't people believe that something you put into you body three/four times a day isn't going to affect your body and mind.