Supporting Brain Health - Mindfulness, Nutrition and Exercise With Dr. Samanta Nagpal

Summary: In this episode, Shan interviews Dr Samanta Nagpal, a consultant psychiatrist with the NHS and host of 'The Therapy Suite' with UK Health Radio. Today, we highlight the importance of maintaining brain health and function. According to Dr Nagpal, we can prevent (and combat) many mental health ailments through mindfulness, nutrition and exercise. Being mindful is a powerful skill which can be done anywhere regardless of whatever you’re doing. Certain nutritional deficiencies can also result to illness that can improve once recognised and addressed. Discover also how your gut bacteria is linked to mental health and why exercising should be done no matter how busy life gets.. KEY TAKEAWAYS According to World Health Organisation (WHO), depression and heart disease will be among the most common illnesses in 2020. When we or anything in our environment undergo a sudden stressful change, our body’s adrenal glands release cortisol, the stress hormone. High levels of cortisol can result to anxiety, depression, fatigue, etc. Stress resilience can be practised through: Mindfulness Healthy Diet Exercise Mindfulness does not clear your thoughts; it helps you become present and aware. “Observe your thoughts and allow them to pass. Don’t give them energy.” Mental health issues can sometimes be linked to nutritional deficiencies: Low B12 and folate is associated with depression and poor cognition.  Magnesium is an element which can be found in leafy greens, seeds, and fibre-rich carbohydrates. Deficiency of magnesium has been linked with depression and anxiety. Low iodine can cause thyroid problems and subsequent mood changes. Low Vitamin D has recently been linked to autism. Omega-3, an essential fatty acid which can be found in fish oil, can treat and prevent depression. Gut bacteria can play a role in supporting our mood and mental state. The more diverse the bacteria are, the heathier the gut is. Exercising might be a difficult habit to fit in our daily schedule if you’re too busy, but it can prevent and improve many different mental illnesses. BEST MOMENTS “As psychiatrists, we’re taught to look at the person not just the illness.” “Lives are different these days. Pressures are different, expectations are different. People’s finances are not in the way they used to be.” “When we’re stressed, we make poor choices.” “Mindfulness might bring stuff from the past. But that’s good, just let it go.” “Exercise is a natural antidepressant. It can boost the natural 'happy hormones' – serotonin, dopamine, and adrenaline.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Move Nourish Change UK Health Radio ABOUT THE GUEST Dr Samanta Nagpal is a consultant psychiatrist working in the NHS. Graduating as a doctor from Imperial College, London, Dr Nagpal started her training in psychiatry in New Zealand, and then moved back to London where she continued her training mainly in South London, on the Guys, Kings and St. Thomas’s hospital training scheme and then the St George’s training Scheme. Dr Nagpal has worked as a consultant for several years both in London and the north west of England. She has experience of a range of specialities within psychiatry and has worked in various departments including the community, on inpatient wards, psychiatric intensive care units, early intervention services, old age and child psychiatry, addictions, forensic, eating disorders plus others. She has also worked in Ghana in a psychiatric hospital, to train mental health professionals and also help set up mental health services. Dr Nagpal also has a keen interest in holistic and alternative therapies and the role they can play in treating mental health conditions. She has trained in energy healing, and regularly practices meditation and yoga. Email: samnagpal375@gmail.com Twitter: @NagpalSamanta Facebook: Dr. Samanta Nagpal Consultant Psychiatrist and Presenter UK Health Radio ABOUT THE HOST Dr Shan Hussain is an author, general practitioner, health coach, wellness advisor and ambassador to the World Health Innovation Summit. As Founder of The Health Studio and a medical doctor of 18 years, he has a special interest in health promotion and disease prevention. He works with individuals and organisations to help improve health in a sustainable, holistic manner. Dr Hussain has developed several coaching and mentorship programmes designed to help reverse the symptoms of many stress-related health problems. His best-selling book, 'The Big Prescription' serves as a guide for readers to learn about evidence-based holistic health practices that create the foundation of his work. CONTACT METHOD Dr Shan Hussain Connect with Dr Shan Hussain through his website at http://www.thehealthstudio.net. If you would like to support our Podcast, please visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/enduringhealth Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/enduringhealth See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.