In the current blog post, I bring your attention to an important book written by Aileen Burford-Mason, Ph.D., The Healthy Brain, published in 2017.
I am confident that most people would agree that nutrition is one of the fundamental and necessary building blocks for meaningful change, along with regular exercise (i.e., accumulate a minimum 150-minutes per week of sustained cardiovascular exercise) and consistent sleep (i.e., 7 – 9-hours per night). Ms. Burford-Mason presents a comprehensive argument for readers to prioritize their nutrition with a mass of supporting evidence.
As explained in her publication summary:
The Healthy Brain makes the compelling case that most people’s brains are underperforming because they are undernourished. As the most metabolically active organ in the body, the brain has nutritional needs that are ten times higher than that of any other organ. The brain is therefore the first organ to falter when it is improperly fed.
Well respected for her ability to translate complex nutritional research into clear, evidence-based guidelines for the safe, effective use of supplements, Burford-Mason offers step-by-step guidance on how to implement dietary changes and select appropriate supplements for optimal brain power at any age.
In addition to providing comprehensive information about dietary fundamentals, Ms. Burford-Mason provides thorough guidance for the array of supplements that can improve psychological and physiological performance.
On a personal note, I can attest to the beneficial guidance I received from Ms. Burford-Mason (both through her book and through a direct consultation with her). I moved to Toronto in January 2015 and I often found myself lagging in psychological and physiological energy, succumbing to respiratory illness every 6 – 8 weeks. Three months after starting a supplement-enhanced nutritionally balanced diet, the common issues I experienced beforehand were a thing of the past. Note that I also increased my engagement with a consistent sleep schedule and exercise routine.
While not a panacea for mental health, general psycho-emotional improvements will be severely restricted for individuals who have impairments in diet, exercise, and nutrition. Should you be inclined to learn more about ways to improve these essential building blocks for mental health and general well-being, The Healthy Brain will certainly provide you with helpful information.
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Want to know more about a specific topic related to psychotherapy? Send me an email (adam@cwcp.ca) and let me know so I can write a blog post about it. And if you would like an honorable mention for your recommendation, let me know that too and I will include your name!
