{"id":13247,"date":"2021-10-15T19:00:19","date_gmt":"2021-10-16T00:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vitoli.ca\/?p=13247"},"modified":"2025-04-24T11:42:16","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T15:42:16","slug":"i-think-therefore-i-am-or-rather-i-eat-therefore-i-am","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vitoli.ca\/en\/i-think-therefore-i-am-or-rather-i-eat-therefore-i-am\/","title":{"rendered":"I Think, Therefore I Am\u2026 or Rather, I Eat, Therefore I Am!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mood disorders (altered thinking, mood or behavior associated with a certain level of distress) are highly prevalent in Canada. In fact, 1 in 7 people suffer from this condition1<\/sup>. Up to 1 in 3 people will experience anxiety at some point in their life2<\/sup>. The implementation of psychotherapy, tools for personal growth and self-management of emotions as well as the prescription of antidepressants of all kinds are part of the first-line therapies to treat a mood disorder3<\/sup>. Surprisingly, it has also been shown that people with a mental disorder such as depression or anxiety are also more likely to have chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc4<\/sup>. Knowing that cardio-metabolic diseases of this kind are very often the result of bad lifestyle habits, including bad eating habits; could there be a physiological link between the two? How can diet impact brain function and mood management?<\/p>\n

Most of us think of food as the act of ingesting “calories” to burn off energy in different ways every day. To add to this limited conception, food is also proving to be a powerful vector of health by providing the body, with every bite, with thousands of chemical molecules with clear biochemical relevance in the body, without which a ton of enzymatic reactions would not happen properly. Clearly one of those vital functions that are the dynamic and continuous interaction with several essential nutrients from our diet is the production of neurotransmitters that regulate mood and behavior in the brain.<\/p>\n

Several studies in humans have looked at the effect of diet on mental health status. It is not surprising to see findings that support the fact that a healthy diet is associated with a lower degree of depression5,6,7,8,9<\/sup>. Indeed, we can definitely conclude that a dietary approach that promotes the consumption of an abundance of vegetables and fruits, unprocessed whole grains, oily fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds is all related to a more balanced psychological health. Conversely, we see an increased risk of depression in heavy eaters of red and\/or processed meats (cold cuts), refined grains\/cereals (flour, breads, breakfast cereals, pasta, etc.), dairy products rich in fat as well as desserts, candies and confectioneries. Surprisingly, we see that this type of diet is also associated with a significant reduction in suffering from cardiovascular disease, as the biochemical effect induced by these eating habits has an implication in the inflammatory mechanisms that can affect the brain as much as the health of the arteries10<\/sup>. Equally astounding is how the nutrition of a mother carrying her fetus has the power to affect the mental health status of her unborn baby during childhood and adolescence. In fact, the more nutrient-poor this diet is and the higher the number of processed products, the more likely the unborn child is to develop psychiatric problems throughout its development11,12,13,14<\/sup>. But why does diet have such a big impact on mental health? The effect on the microbiota, the balance between inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as the impact on brain plasticity are well described mechanisms.<\/p>\n

The microbiota = our second brain<\/strong><\/h4>\n

First of all, we cannot ignore the powerful effect of the gut microbiota and its link to mental health which has been the source of thousands of scientific publications in recent years. Considered an “organ” in itself, the intestinal microbiota contains nearly 100 trillion bacteria; more than the number of cells that constitute us15<\/sup>. These bacteria inhabit us in a symbiotic manner by being closely involved in several processes essential to human survival such as the synthesis of vitamins and neurotransmitters, the regulation of systemic immunity and inflammation, the protection of the barrier digestive epithelial for absorption of nutrients, etc.16<\/sup>. It is not surprising that disturbances in the microbiota, particularly loss of diversity, are associated with many chronic cardio-metabolic and inflammatory diseases.17<\/sup> These bacteria which colonize us react and ensure their growth according to what is given to them to “eat” (i.e., how we eat every day) and interact bidirectionally with the 500 million individual neurons that line the digestive system18<\/sup>. Fiber and several polyphenols (found in nuts, seeds, whole unprocessed grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables) are the nutrients of choice for a good selection, diversity, and growth of the healthiest bacteria19<\/sup>. Conversely, excessive intake of certain medications (antibiotics, antacids, anti-inflammatories, etc.), a state of chronic stress as well as a diet low in fiber and rich in processed foods, sugars of all kinds, sweeteners, and pesticides can greatly affect the quality of the microbiota20,21<\/sup>. When the microbiota is disrupted by the stressors mentioned above, we can witness a phenomenon of loss of integrity of the epithelial barrier lining the lumen of the digestive tract, causing a break between the proteins binding the cells to each other to ensure good permeability between the intestinal contents and the systemic circulation. We call this the “permeable intestine syndrome”, the phenomenon where food molecules, bacterial metabolites and\/or bacteria themselves enter the systemic circulation without having been adequately filtered and whose presence triggers the activation of the immune system and a constant state of inflammation. This syndrome has been associated with several systemic pathologies such as inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, asthma, and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression and autism22,23,24,25,26<\/sup>. The inflammatory molecules generated by the presence of these exogenous molecules, in circulation and neutralized by the immune system, affect the entire body: inability to properly regulate blood sugar levels, chronic pain, fatigue, negative or anxious mood, digestive bloating, etc. In this situation, a sanitation of the diet, the withdrawal of behaviors or substances harmful to the balance of the microbiota, as well as the use of probiotics can prove to be very relevant to find a diversity and an optimal function of the microbiota with its effect expected on the regulation of immunity and systemic inflammation as well as on the metabolism of neurotransmitters and several vitamins and biochemical molecules essential for the function of the body’s systems27<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Inflammation, oxidative stress, and the need for antioxidants<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Inflammation is a normal phenomenon essential to survival that allows the healing of an injured structure following damage of any kind to the structures of the body. It is important in acute and occasional situations when the damage is accidentally created, but becomes a problem when it is chronically present due to regular and persistent damage. For example, daily exposure to toxins (such as cigarettes or mold in the environment), stress and chronic sleep deprivation (involving persistent pro-inflammatory hormonal disturbances), and a diet filled with sugar and processed foods harmful to the digestive system are situations that contribute to causing chronic inflammation. Chronic low-grade inflammation has been shown to be associated with depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disease28,29,30<\/sup>. Oxidative stress is the result of chronic inflammation and results in the production of free radicals which attack healthy structures in the body (including neurons!) and is the cause of the loss of organ function and accelerated aging. One of the ways to counter oxidative stress is to give the body a significant amount of “antioxidants” which are actually the various phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals found in a healthy, plant-rich, unprocessed and diverse diet. It has indeed been observed in some studies that several antioxidant markers were reduced in individuals with acute depressive episodes31,32<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Brain plasticity, essential for emotional regulation<\/strong><\/h4>\n

An essential region of the brain, the hippocampus, is involved in the phenomena of learning, the creation of memory and emotional regulation. Neurons in this region of the brain appear to be able to form and grow under the influence of a substance called BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor)33,34<\/sup>. Without having a well-developed and functioning hippocampus, one can face memory problems, difficulty learning new tasks and poor management of emotions; symptoms that are very often seen in depression and anxiety. Stress is one of the most powerful factors that can negatively affect BDNF levels35<\/sup>, but there is a growing body of evidence that a high nutrient density diet favorably affects BDNF levels which can boost neurogenesis, while diets high in sugar and poor-quality fat found in processed foods have a completely opposite effect36,37,38<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

For all the physiological reasons discussed above, good mental health relies on an optimal supply of essential nutrients to ensure all the biochemical reactions of the body involved in the selection of a diverse microbiota, in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, in the neurogenesis and the attenuation of oxidative stress generated by the environment and\/or lifestyle that can cause cellular damage to neurons in the brain. Each bite you eat should be as nutritious as possible:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • No food processed by the food industry: Food consumed should come as close as possible to what could be picked from a garden or removed from a free-range animal with an optimal environment.<\/li>\n
  • An abundance of plants of all kinds. For example, fetching the rainbow of colors through fruit and vegetable choices over the course of a week. It would be wise to prioritize vegetables over fruits to avoid excess sugar that may be less well tolerated in metabolically susceptible individuals.<\/li>\n
  • A significant amount of fiber to add daily in the form of nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits, whole unprocessed grains and legumes.<\/li>\n
  • A good quality fat intake such as olive oil, nuts, oily fish, etc., while being careful not to overheat the oil as its favorable properties may be lost.<\/li>\n
  • Providing probiotics through fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, plain yogurt, kefir, tempeh, etc.).<\/li>\n
  • No refined or concentrated sugars from whole foods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Diet should always be optimized before offering supplementation to ensure a sufficient intake of any nutrient since a whole food provides much more biochemically than what can be found in a tablet. However, it is sometimes necessary to have to recourse towards supplementation for various reasons (food intolerance to certain foods, inability to ingest the recommended nutritional intake of a certain nutrient, a lifestyle that requires a greater than recommended intake of a certain substance that the diet cannot supply in sufficient quantity, etc.). Personalization of the approach is essential in order to target the risks of deficiencies and the levels of nutrient intake and above all to assess the quality and diversity of the microbiota that inhabits us while seeking strategies to optimize it, knowing its well-demonstrated positive impact on mental health. All in all, it is clear that psychotherapy and the use of antidepressants are not the only options in the management of mood disorders. Turning to healthy eating and lifestyle strategies can sometimes be much more powerful in the quest to improve mental health!<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    References: <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    1 <\/sup>https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/fr\/sante-publique\/services\/publications\/maladies-et-affections\/rapport-systeme-canadien-surveillance-maladies-chroniques-maladies-mentales-canada-2015.html#s0<\/p>\n

    2 <\/sup>Katzman, M.A., Bleau, P., Blier, P.\u00a0et al.<\/em>\u00a0Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of anxiety, posttraumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders.\u00a0BMC Psychiatry<\/em>\u00a014,\u00a0<\/strong>S1 (2014). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/1471-244X-14-S1-S1<\/p>\n

    3 <\/sup>Kennedy SH, Lam RW, McIntyre RS, Tourjman SV, Bhat V, Blier P, Hasnain M, Jollant F, Levitt AJ, MacQueen GM, McInerney SJ, McIntosh D, Milev RV, M\u00fcller DJ, Parikh SV, Pearson NL, Ravindran AV, Uher R; CANMAT Depression Work Group. Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2016 Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Adults with Major Depressive Disorder: Section 3. Pharmacological Treatments. Can J Psychiatry. 2016 Sep;61(9):540-60. doi: 10.1177\/0706743716659417. Epub 2016 Aug 2. Erratum in: Can J Psychiatry. 2017 May;62(5):356. PMID: 27486148; PMCID: PMC4994790.<\/p>\n

    4 <\/sup>https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/fr\/sante-publique\/services\/publications\/maladies-et-affections\/rapport-systeme-canadien-surveillance-maladies-chroniques-maladies-mentales-canada-2015.html<\/p>\n

    5 <\/sup>Lai,\u00a0JS,\u00a0Hiles,\u00a0S,\u00a0Bisquera,\u00a0A\u00a0et al. (2014)\u00a0A systematic review and meta-analysis of dietary patterns and depression in community-dwelling adults.\u00a0Am J Clin Nutr<\/em>\u00a099,\u00a0181\u2013197<\/p>\n

    6 <\/sup>Psaltopoulou,\u00a0T,\u00a0Sergentanis,\u00a0TN,\u00a0Panagiotakos,\u00a0DB\u00a0et al. (2013)\u00a0Mediterranean diet, stroke, cognitive impairment, and depression: a meta-analysis.\u00a0Ann Neurol<\/em>\u00a074,\u00a0580\u2013591.<\/p>\n

    7 <\/sup>Quirk,\u00a0SE,\u00a0Williams,\u00a0LJ,\u00a0O’Neil,\u00a0A\u00a0et al. (2013)\u00a0The association between diet quality, dietary patterns and depression in adults: a systematic review.\u00a0BMC Psychiatry<\/em>\u00a013,\u00a0175<\/p>\n

    8 <\/sup>Rahe,\u00a0C,\u00a0Unrath,\u00a0M\u00a0&\u00a0Berger,\u00a0K\u00a0(2014)\u00a0Dietary patterns and the risk of depression in adults: a systematic review of observational studies.\u00a0Eur J Nutr<\/em>\u00a053,\u00a0997\u20131013<\/p>\n

    9 <\/sup>Li,\u00a0Y,\u00a0Lv,\u00a0MR,\u00a0Wei,\u00a0YJ\u00a0et al. (2017)\u00a0Dietary patterns and depression risk: a meta-analysis.\u00a0Psychiatry Res<\/em>\u00a0253,\u00a0373\u2013382.<\/p>\n

    10<\/sup> Sanchez-Villegas,\u00a0A,\u00a0Martinez-Gonzalez,\u00a0MA,\u00a0Estruch,\u00a0R\u00a0et al. (2013)\u00a0Mediterranean dietary pattern and depression: the PREDIMED randomized trial.\u00a0BMC Med<\/em>\u00a011,\u00a0208.<\/p>\n

    11 <\/sup>O’Neil,\u00a0A,\u00a0Quirk,\u00a0SE,\u00a0Housden,\u00a0S\u00a0et al. (2014)\u00a0Relationship between diet and mental health in children and adolescents: a systematic review.\u00a0Am J Public Health<\/em>\u00a0104,\u00a0e31\u2013e42<\/p>\n

    12 <\/sup>Muhlig,\u00a0Y,\u00a0Antel,\u00a0J,\u00a0Focker,\u00a0M\u00a0et al. (2016)\u00a0Are bidirectional associations of obesity and depression already apparent in childhood and adolescence as based on high-quality studies? A systematic review.\u00a0Obes Rev<\/em>\u00a017,\u00a0235\u2013249.<\/p>\n

    13 <\/sup>Sparling,\u00a0TM,\u00a0Henschke,\u00a0N,\u00a0Nesbitt,\u00a0RC\u00a0et al. (2017)\u00a0The role of diet and nutritional supplementation in perinatal depression: a systematic review.\u00a0Matern Child Nutr<\/em>\u00a013,\u00a0e12235.<\/p>\n

    14 <\/sup>Baskin,\u00a0R,\u00a0Hill,\u00a0B,\u00a0Jacka,\u00a0FN\u00a0et al. (2015)\u00a0The association between diet quality and mental health during the perinatal period. A systematic review.\u00a0Appetite<\/em>\u00a091,\u00a041\u201347.<\/p>\n

    15 <\/sup>Valdes\u00a0A M,\u00a0Walter\u00a0J,\u00a0Segal\u00a0E,\u00a0Spector\u00a0T D.\u00a0Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health\u00a0 BMJ\u00a0<\/em>2018;\u00a0\u00a0361\u00a0:k2179\u00a0doi:10.1136\/bmj.k2179<\/p>\n

    16<\/sup>T hursby E, Juge N. Introduction to the human gut microbiota.\u00a0Biochem J<\/em>. 2017;474(11):1823-1836. Published 2017 May 16. doi:10.1042\/BCJ20160510<\/p>\n

    17 <\/sup>Valdes\u00a0A M,\u00a0Walter\u00a0J,\u00a0Segal\u00a0E,\u00a0Spector\u00a0T D.\u00a0Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health\u00a0 BMJ\u00a0<\/em>2018;\u00a0\u00a0361\u00a0:k2179\u00a0doi:10.1136\/bmj.k2179<\/p>\n

    18 <\/sup>Barett KE BS. Ganong\u2019s review of medical physiology: The autonomic nervous system 2010.<\/p>\n

    19<\/sup> Yang Q, Liang Q, Balakrishnan B, Belobrajdic DP, Feng QJ, Zhang W. Role of Dietary Nutrients in the Modulation of Gut Microbiota: A Narrative Review.\u00a0Nutrients<\/em>. 2020;12(2):381. Published 2020 Jan 31. doi:10.3390\/nu12020381<\/p>\n

    20<\/sup> Vich Vila, A., Collij, V., Sanna, S.\u00a0et al.<\/em>\u00a0Impact of commonly used drugs on the composition and metabolic function of the gut microbiota.\u00a0Nat Commun<\/em>\u00a011,\u00a0<\/strong>362 (2020). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-019-14177-z<\/p>\n

    21<\/sup> Madison A, Kiecolt-Glaser JK. Stress, depression, diet, and the gut microbiota: human-bacteria interactions at the core of psychoneuroimmunology and nutrition.\u00a0Curr Opin Behav Sci<\/em>. 2019;28:105-110. doi:10.1016\/j.cobeha.2019.01.011<\/p>\n

    22<\/sup> Carabotti M, Scirocco A, Maselli MA, Carola S.\u00a0The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems.\u00a0Ann Gastroent<\/em>\u00a02015;28:203-9<\/p>\n

    23<\/sup> Ait-Belgnaoui A, Durand H, Cartier C, et al.\u00a0Prevention of gut leakiness by a probiotic treatment leads to attenuated HPA response to an acute psychological stress in rats.\u00a0Psychoneuroendocrino<\/em>\u00a02012;37:1885-95<\/p>\n

    24<\/sup> Foster JA, McVey Neufeld KA.\u00a0Gutbrain axis: how the microbiome influences anxiety and depression.\u00a0Trends Neurosci<\/em>\u00a02013;36:305-12.<\/p>\n

    25<\/sup> Ho JT Chan GC Li JC..\u00a0Systemic effects of gut microbiota and its relationship with disease and modulation.\u00a0BMC Immunol<\/em>\u00a02015;16<\/p>\n

    26<\/sup> Bischoff SC, Barbara G, Buurman W, et al.\u00a0Intestinal permeability–a new target for disease prevention and therapy.\u00a0BMC Gastroenterol<\/em>\u00a02014;14:189.<\/p>\n

    27<\/sup> Clapp M, Aurora N, Herrera L, Bhatia M, Wilen E, Wakefield S. Gut microbiota’s effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis.\u00a0Clin Pract<\/em>. 2017;7(4):987. Published 2017 Sep 15. doi:10.4081\/cp.2017.987<\/p>\n

    28<\/sup> Berk,\u00a0M,\u00a0Williams,\u00a0LJ,\u00a0Jacka,\u00a0FN\u00a0et al. (2013)\u00a0So depression is an inflammatory disease, but where does the inflammation come from?\u00a0BMC Med<\/em>\u00a011,\u00a0200<\/p>\n

    29<\/sup> Fernandes,\u00a0BS,\u00a0Steiner,\u00a0J,\u00a0Molendijk,\u00a0ML\u00a0et al. (2016)\u00a0C-reactive protein concentrations across the mood spectrum in bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.\u00a0Lancet Psychiatry<\/em>\u00a03,\u00a01147\u20131156<\/p>\n

    30<\/sup> Fernandes,\u00a0BS,\u00a0Steiner,\u00a0J,\u00a0Bernstein,\u00a0HG\u00a0et al. (2016)\u00a0C-reactive protein is increased in schizophrenia but is not altered by antipsychotics: meta-analysis and implications.\u00a0Mol Psychiatry<\/em>\u00a021,\u00a0554\u2013564.<\/p>\n

    31<\/sup> Moylan,\u00a0S,\u00a0Berk,\u00a0M,\u00a0Dean,\u00a0OM\u00a0et al. (2014)\u00a0Oxidative & nitrosative stress in depression: why so much stress?Neurosci Biobehav Rev<\/em>\u00a045,\u00a046\u201362.<\/p>\n

    32<\/sup> Liu,\u00a0T,\u00a0Zhong,\u00a0S,\u00a0Liao,\u00a0X\u00a0et al. (2015)\u00a0A meta-analysis of oxidative stress markers in depression.\u00a0PLoS ONE<\/em>\u00a010,\u00a0e0138904.<\/p>\n

    33<\/sup> Fernandes,\u00a0BS,\u00a0Berk,\u00a0M,\u00a0Turck,\u00a0CW\u00a0et al. (2014)\u00a0Decreased peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels are a biomarker of disease activity in major psychiatric disorders: a comparative meta-analysis.\u00a0Mol Psychiatry<\/em>19,\u00a0750\u2013751<\/p>\n

    34<\/sup> Fernandes,\u00a0BS,\u00a0Molendijk,\u00a0ML,\u00a0Kohler,\u00a0CA\u00a0et al. (2015)\u00a0Peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a biomarker in bipolar disorder: a meta-analysis of 52 studies.\u00a0BMC Med<\/em>\u00a013,\u00a0289.<\/p>\n

    35<\/sup> Miao Z, Wang Y, Sun Z. The Relationships Between Stress, Mental Disorders, and Epigenetic Regulation of BDNF.\u00a0Int J Mol Sci<\/em>. 2020;21(4):1375. Published 2020 Feb 18. doi:10.3390\/ijms21041375<\/p>\n

    36<\/sup> Zainuddin,\u00a0MS\u00a0&\u00a0Thuret,\u00a0S\u00a0(2012)\u00a0Nutrition, adult hippocampal neurogenesis and mental health.\u00a0Br Med Bull<\/em>103,\u00a089\u2013114.<\/p>\n

    37<\/sup> Guimaraes,\u00a0LR,\u00a0Jacka,\u00a0FN,\u00a0Gama,\u00a0CS\u00a0et al. (2008)\u00a0Serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in schizophrenia on a hypocaloric diet.\u00a0Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry<\/em>\u00a032,\u00a01595\u20131598.<\/p>\n

    38<\/sup> Molteni,\u00a0R,\u00a0Barnard,\u00a0RJ,\u00a0Ying,\u00a0Z\u00a0et al. (2002)\u00a0A high-fat, refined sugar diet reduces hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuronal plasticity, and learning.\u00a0Neuroscience<\/em>\u00a0112,\u00a0803\u2013814.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Most of us think of food as the act of ingesting “calories” to burn off energy in different ways every day. To add to this limited conception, food is also proving to be a powerful vector of health by providing the body, with every bite, with thousands of chemical molecules with clear biochemical relevance in the body, without which a ton of enzymatic reactions would not happen properly. Clearly one of those vital functions that are the dynamic and continuous interaction with several essential nutrients from our diet is the production of neurotransmitters that regulate mood and behavior in the brain.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":24426,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[101],"tags":[47,83,205],"class_list":["post-13247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dr-anne-isabelle-dionne-medical-doctor","tag-nutrition-and-fasting-and-ketogenic-diet","tag-mental-health","tag-digestive-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nI Think, Therefore I Am\u2026 or Rather, I Eat, Therefore I Am! - Vitoli<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/vitoli.ca\/en\/i-think-therefore-i-am-or-rather-i-eat-therefore-i-am\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"I Think, Therefore I Am\u2026 or Rather, I Eat, Therefore I Am! - Vitoli\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Most of us think of food as the act of ingesting "calories" to burn off energy in different ways every day. 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