Patrick Holford is a prominent figure in the fields of nutrition and mental health. As an author of multiple books and the CEO of the UK charity Food for the Brain, he has dedicated his life to spreading awareness about the importance of nutrition for brain health.
Over the years, Holford has been researching the impact of diet on intelligence, highlighting that diets high in complex carbs and sugar have contributed to a decline in IQ scores. He believes that mental health problems are a pressing issue, as evidenced by reports that rank them as one of the most expensive and pressing health concerns. Conditions such as depression, autism, ADHD, and dementia are on the rise, with an alarming increase in children’s mental health problems.
To address these issues, Food for the Brain is using at-home blood spot tests and digital cognitive health questionnaires to analyze the nutrition and cognition status of thousands of participants. The charity provides nutrition advice to participants and is building a substantial databank to support its cause. Through its efforts, Food for the Brain hopes to bring about a widespread shift in perceptions around mental and cognitive health.
For more information on Patrick Holford’s work and Food for the Brain’s mission, you can listen to a podcast with NutraIngredients Europe Editor Nikki Hancocks for full details.