From Britney Spears to Lindsay Lohan, young Hollywood stars seem to be imploding. Spears and others are routinely photographed carrying sugar and fat-laden coffee drinks and lunching at fast food joints. No doubt a host of issues may be at work, but one thing is clear -- the toxic diet of many celebrities can cause big problems. Bestselling author and television food expert, Dr. Timothy Brantley explains how eating habits can influence the chemicals in your brain -- impacting your state of mind and even your behavior.

As a researcher using naturopathic principles, Dr. Brantley has taught his methods of naturally curing illness and restoring physical and emotional health to thousands of people, including well-known celebrities. According to Dr. Brantley, the brain communicates by chemical substances passed from one cell to another. These chemical neurotransmitters are created in the brain from the food we consume. You may be able to better balance your mood by knowing which "mood foods" to avoid and which to incorporate into your diet.

BAD MOOD FOODS

Greasy Fast Food
Fast food is loaded with unhealthy fat and refined table salt. That burger can linger in your stomach for a long time and can zap your energy for hours to come.

Caffeine
That Mochaccino, loaded with caffeine and extra whip cream, starts an emotional rollercoaster. Caffeine can be addictive, altering brain chemistry in a way similar to amphetamines, often triggering irritability and agitation.

Alcohol
According to press reports Britney Spears may have indulged in Margaritas prior to her infamous MTV VMA thumbs-down performance. Connect the dots - alcohol is a sedative that can cause dehydration, muscle weakness and inability to focus.

Sugar
A sweet tooth may be sign of a sugar addiction. Sugar causes mood swings and fatigue, hyperactivity, anxiety and can lead to emotional instability, as well as obesity.

Soda
Commercial sodas often contain high levels of sodium that can cause dehydration. The caffeine content in many sodas, particularly so-called "energy drinks," can cause weight gain, bloating, memory loss, inattention and anxiety.

GOOD MOOD FOODS

Omega 3
A trip to the sushi bar may be just the ticket. Omega 3 fatty acids have mood lifting benefits and help alleviate depression. Foods rich in Omega 3 include salmon and mackeral, flaxseed, and walnuts.

Folic acid and B12
Low blood levels of folate and vitamin B12 may be related to depression. Folic acid rich foods include: lentils, oatmeal and broccoli. Foods loaded with mood enhancing B12 include: salmon and organic beef.

Vitamin D
Stave off the winter blues with a bit of sunshine and foods rich in Vitamin D like fish and egg yolks.

Tryptophan
Serotonin production is facilitated by tryptophan. Foods that are tryptophan-rich includes: raw milk, yogurt, eggs, meat, nuts, beans, fish and almonds.