5 Things to Know About Ultra Processed Foods & SSRI Medications
If you have just recently started taking SSRIs, or if you’ve just been prescribed these, and you have to start the treatment soon, then there is no doubt you will have a lot of questions about what these are, how they work, and what to expect from them. And, having those questions is completely normal, which is why you should talk to your doctor and let them know about anything that may be confusing you. Among other things, you should discuss the effects, but also the side-effects, that you can expect from these medications.
Here’s what you may need to know about them: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/ssris/art-20044825
Now, while you will probably remember to ask those commonly asked questions, there is a chance that you may fail to ask some. Or that you may simply not even know that they should be asked. Such as the question about the effects of ultra processed foods on SSRI medications. This is something that you would probably fail to ask, because it is specific, and because people often don’t even realize that it is something they absolutely need to know.
Oh, but it is something that you absolutely need to know. That is why we are going to be talking about it today. After all, when you start taking these medications, you will want to know as much as possible about what to expect, and about what you can do yourself in order to maximize their effects and pretty much ensure that they are doing their job. And, believe it or not, your diet does play a role in that.
So, what we are going to do right now is discuss this important topic. In the simplest words possible, below I am going to help you get a better understanding of the interactions between UPF and SSRI medications, hoping to help you finally figure out how the food you are eating can impact the medications you are taking. And hoping to, thus, push you into the right direction and towards potentially making some changes in your diet, if you find that those are necessary.
- SSRIs and UPF Don’t Go Well Together
Let us start with the most basic statement here. You may have heard a lot already about the link between your diet and mental health, and now it is time to get a bit more specific about it. Basically, what you should know is that UPF and SSRIs don’t really go that well together. To be more precise, UPF can have some negative effects on the way these drugs are working, and that should be enough for you to understand that you should definitely make some dietary changes and reduce the intake of these types of foods in order to get the most out of the medications.
- UPF Causes Inflammation
Okay, simply saying that they don’t go well together is not enough for you, is it? You want to get even more specific about all of this. You want to know how it is that UPF can actually affect you, and how it is linked to SSRIs in the first place. And, well, there are a few mechanisms to keep in mind when trying to understand this, one of them being inflammation.
To put things simply, UPF can cause chronic inflammation. This has a negative impact on your overall body, including, of course, your brain. Among other things, it makes those receptors in the brain less sensitive to serotonin, or other neurotransmitters for that matter, but serotonin is important to mention because we’re talking about SSRIs. So, while the SSRIs will ensure you have enough serotonin in your brain, if the receptors are not sensitive to it, not a lot will change, and you may still find yourself feeling low and depressed, even though you are taking medications.
- It Disrupts the Gut Microbiome
Another mechanism to understand is actually the link between your gut and your brain health. In the simplest words possible, your gut and your brain are connected, and they communicate all the time. Plus, your gut is where 95% of serotonin is produced. UPF can disrupt the gut microbiome and consequently lead to lowering the production of serotonin. So, the SSRIs won’t be able to work well because there is not enough serotonin the reuptake of which they have to inhibit. Find out more about UPF in general.
- It Leads to Nutrient Deficiencies
One more thing. Consuming a lot of UPF means eating a lot of calories, while not getting enough nutrients. Meaning, thus, that it can lead to nutrient deficiencies in the brain, which will further make it difficult for SSRIs to do their important work.
- You Should Watch Your Diet When on SSRIs
Here’s a simple takeaway from all of this. Basically, you should watch what you are eating when you’re on SSRIs. More precisely, you should do your best to avoid ultra processed foods, and to get enough important nutrients, so as to maximize the effects of the medications.
