Yoon Dae-hyun, a professor of psychiatry at Seoul National University Hospital, examines the link between patients' mental states and their blood test results. He emphasizes that our emotional well-being is not solely determined by neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine but is deeply connected to physical health factors such as blood sugar levels, inflammation, hormones, and gut health. Symptoms that appear to be psychological, such as depression, anxiety, and panic, often stem from physical issues like unstable blood sugar, high cholesterol, visceral fat, and inflammatory responses.
Yoon asserts that psychological and physical resilience are interconnected. Stress can exacerbate gut inflammation, which in turn leads to lethargy and depression. Visceral fat increases the risk of depression, while high cholesterol is linked to a higher risk of dementia. A 40-year-old office worker experienced a boost in motivation after taking cholesterol-lowering medication and omega-3 supplements, addressing issues related to potential diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
The methods for enhancing resilience are straightforward. Yoon recommends taking a 20-minute walk in a forest or park when feeling mentally overwhelmed and checking recent sleep patterns when experiencing unexplained anxiety. He advises consuming sufficient protein in the morning instead of sugar and suggests drinking water instead of coffee on anxious days.
He particularly highlights that ruminating on the past can lead to increased cortisol, a stress hormone, and inflammatory responses, which burden blood sugar, blood vessels, and metabolic systems. He encourages shifting the mindset from "Why is this happening to me?" to "How can I approach this differently next time?" to facilitate healing for both body and mind.
"When we are struggling mentally, we often try to change our thoughts. While managing thoughts is important, sometimes changing the lunch menu can be a quicker solution. When feeling unsettled, eating a bowl of seaweed soup to soothe the stomach may be a more practical way to manage emotions than trying mindfulness. (Omitted) Eating a more balanced meal today can impact tomorrow's focus and emotional stability, and in the long run, it can be the most realistic recovery strategy that changes one's life." (p. 204)
Seonjae Monk, who gained popularity through Netflix's "Black and White Chef Season 2," has released a new book after 15 years. The book features 38 recipes for temple food along with the monk's life-affirming essays on fermentation.
Diagnosed with end-stage cirrhosis in 1994, the monk managed to recover his health miraculously by focusing on fermented foods like miso, soy sauce, and kimchi, as well as seasonal ingredients. He emphasizes that food can be both medicine and poison, highlighting the value of natural, seasonal, and clean foods.
The book explores the benefits of fermented and seasonal foods for the body and mind throughout the four seasons. The Buddha's teaching to "live in the present moment" aligns with the advice to "eat seasonal foods."
It also introduces 38 temple food recipes that anyone can easily follow, lowering the barrier to practice. The monk notes that even the same ingredients can yield different bodily responses depending on what they are paired with and how they are prepared. He shares the wisdom that just as one should consider the qualities of ingredients before cooking, one should also be mindful of others' feelings when interacting with them.
"I always say, 'Taste is created by habits, not just the tongue.' Ultimately, our taste preferences are not fixed but can change based on our thoughts and attitudes. Therefore, the act of eating can transcend taste, leading to habit changes and transforming lives." (p. 154)
* This article has been translated by AI.
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