Ultra-Processed Foods: A Modern Cause of Mental Health Issues?

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22/7/2025

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When you're seeking emotional balance, wanting to improve your mood, feel motivated, or have the willpower to start a healthier eating plan or lifestyle habits — what’s the first change that comes to mind?

It seems obvious that if you want to give up sugar and gluten, you should start there, right?

But why is it so hard?

There’s a reason — or several — and they lie in your biology, your gut, and how you digest!

With modern life and the increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, rates of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases in Adults (NCDs), overweight, obesity, and mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, or eating disorders have also risen nearly in parallel. This means that if you Remove the root cause of NCDs, you also Remove the root cause of the mental conditions.

The "perfect" eating plan doesn’t just aim to get you to your ideal weight — it helps you maintain long-lasting habits that become part of your lifestyle!

But you've probably noticed that food is your moment of joy, a time to connect with family and friends. That’s because your brain releases dopamine, the pleasure neurotransmitter, in anticipation of eating foods you enjoy — like cereals, dairy, and sugar.

When you consume gluten and casein and cannot digest them completely, your body generates gluteomorphins and caseomorphins — which also create pleasure and addiction, because they’re not properly processed.

The more you consume them, the faster you wear out the stimulus — and the more you crave. This is what leads to food addiction behaviors and, over time, weight gain and obesity.

The statistics say it all:

In the U.S., 60% of Americans are overweight

Of those with overweight or obesity, 40–50% suffer from binge eating disorder or food addiction

There's also a high comorbidity between obesity, cardiovascular disease, and depression

So, how can you control food intake?

The neurotransmitter that controls appetite also plays a key role in regulating mood: serotonin, also known as the happiness hormone.

Your brain can’t say “Ouch!” — so when you experience mood disorders or anxiety, it’s your brain’s way of telling you it’s inflamed or leaky.

Also remember: the higher your insulin levels — from consuming these modern, inflammatory foods — the greater your risk of type 2 diabetes, which also has neurological consequences.

So, what can you do to lose weight and improve your mood?

Remove that “modern,” “recreational,” and unnecessary food! While it may seem to make your life easier, it's actually harming you emotionally and physically. This includes not just gluten and dairy, but also sugar and processed or refined foods. This will help reduce your insulin spikes, which cause widespread inflammation.

Replenish the nutrients your brain needs to produce neurotransmitters — through “friendly” foods that are as natural as possible and easy for your body to digest.

Recover your health, proper appetite, and mood through the 3R Immuno-Nutrition Protocol.

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