Optimizing brain health and cognition includes balancing three key areas: nutrition, building new cells, and breaking down old connections. While the average person does not have direct, conscious control over how the brain creates new and retires old, the diet is a key tool in maintaining whole-body health, including cognition. Nutrition plays a major role in both physical health and mental health, a role that is particularly evident in the context of the brain. Supporting brain function may include memory, attention, concentration, and energy levels.

For depression and other mental illnesses, healthy eating habits are an important part of a treatment regimen. Nutritional psychiatrist Dr. Drew Ramsey recognizes the importance of nutrition for brain health, and he implements a nutrition-focused philosophy when talking to patients. For depression and other mental illnesses, Ramsey relies on promoting healthy eating habits as part of his patients’ treatment regimen, which could also include antidepressant medications or counseling.