The
Mind Society
Speaker Series
Dr. Uma Naidoo
Food's Effect on Our Minds
A grandiose amount of literature exists in the field of psychology about how our early childhoods, past traumas, social relationships, skewed perspectives, sleep patterns, and more affect our mental health. However, one area of psychology that most people forget to consider is the way in which the food we eat numerous times a day, and how it plays out in our gut, has a direct influence on our brains and, in consequence, our mind and mood, and vice versa. Dr. Uma Naidoo uniquely focuses on these processes, and more specifically on the ways different foods can exacerbate or diminish the symptoms of specific mental health challenges. She’s a Harvard trained psychiatrist who integrates her knowledge of psychiatry, nutritional biology, culinary training, and clinical research to bolster the theory that food has a much greater effect on our bodies and minds than simply providing energy and sustenance. In addition to paving the way in these novel research directions, she is also leading the first hospital based Nutritional Psychiatry Service in the U.S., Nutritional and Metabolic Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry program at MGH Academy. Dr. Naidoo wanted to move beyond the minimal nutrition education and basic “eat healthy” recommendations emphasized in medical school, highlighting instead that tailored nutritional plans can be a meaningful adjunct to psychiatric care.
One surprising insight that emphasizes the significance of this brain gut connection is the fact that 90 to 95% of our serotonin receptors are located in the gut. Moreover, trillions of gut microbes interact with neurotransmitters, immune function, and inflammation, starkly highlighting how important our gut health is not only to the rest of our body, but also to our minds. Not only does our microbiome influence sleep, hormones, immunity, and circadian rhythm, but it also responds dynamically to stress, emotions, and food intake. Stress impacts the gut directly, as gut microbes respond within hours to food and stress exposure. This bidirectional communication is critical to consider in our daily lives, as it may help explain otherwise overlooked factors contributing to poor sleep, elevated stress, mood disturbances, and reduced overall well being.
"The gut and the brain originate from the exact same cells in the human embryo."
This is not shocking after Dr. Naidoo shares that “the gut and the brain originate from the exact same cells in the human embryo.” Her work focuses on the effects that food can have on mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis, ADHD, and other potentially affected areas like libido, sleep, and overall mood. Her books provide science backed recipes tailored to different mental health challenges, outlining which foods work best for each. She also emphasizes that inflammation is a core driver of mental health symptoms. The gut is a primary site where inflammation begins, with foods like sugar acting as major inflammatory triggers, whereas fermented foods can help reduce it. She further notes that stress itself can increase inflammation. Thankfully, any positive changes we make can jump start a domino effect in the right direction, with noticeable changes often emerging within days to weeks after making dietary alterations.
During my conversation with Dr. Naidoo, you'll gain a clear, evidence-informed understanding of how food and gut health influence mental well-being. She bridges psychiatry, neuroscience, and nutrition with exceptional clarity, translating in-depth research on the gut-brain connection into practical insights for everyday life.
Recorded August 2023.
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Books by Dr. Naidoo
