Patrick Holford is a prominent figure in the fields of nutrition and mental health, having written several books and founded the UK charity Food for the Brain. As CEO, he is dedicated to promoting awareness about the importance of nutrition for brain health. Over the years, he has advocated for a diet high in fats, essential vitamins, and minerals and has researched their impact on intelligence since the 1970s.

Recently, Holford has highlighted the decline in IQ scores over time and attributed it to diets that are high in complex carbs and sugar. He emphasized that mental health problems are a pressing issue that requires urgent attention. According to him, conditions such as depression, autism, ADHD, and dementia are on the rise. Furthermore, there has been an alarming increase in children’s mental health problems.

In response to these challenges, Food for the Brain is using at-home blood spot tests and digital cognitive health questionnaires to analyze participants’ nutrition and cognition status. The charity provides nutrition advice to its participants while building a substantial databank to support its cause. By doing so, Food for the Brain aims to promote a shift in perceptions around mental and cognitive health on a broader scale.

To learn more about Patrick Holford’s work with Food for the Brain and his views on mental and cognitive health issues, you can listen to an interview with Nikki Hancocks of NutraIngredients Europe Editor for all details.