Role of nutrition in mental health
Mental health disorders are a growing global concern now a days. The relationship between diet, brain function and the risk of mental disorders have been the subject of intense research in recent years. It is extremely important that experts in the fields of psychiatry and public health recognise the undeniable link between mental health and nutrition. In the past few years, significant links have been established between nutritional quality and mental health.
Maternal and early life nutrition is also emerging as a factor in mental health outcomes in children, while severe deficiencies in some essential nutrients during critical developmental periods have long been implicated in the development of both depressive and psychotic disorders.
When we take a closer look at the diet of depressed people, an interesting observation is that their nutrition is far from adequate. They make poor food choices and selecting foods that might actually contribute to depression.
The most common nutritional deficiencies seen in patients with mental disorders are of omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, minerals and amino acids that are precursors to neurotransmitters.
Research findings point out that an imbalance in the ratio of the essential fatty acids namely the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids may be responsible for the heightened depressive symptoms associated with low plasma cholesterol.
According to a study reported in Neuropsychobiology, supplementation of nine vitamins, 10 times in excess of normal recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for 1 year improved mood in both men and women. This mood improvement was particularly associated with improved vitamin B2 and B6 status. In women, baseline vitamin B1 status was linked with poor mood and an improvement in the same after 3 months was associated with improved mood.
Iodine plays an important role in mental health. The iodine provided by the thyroid hormone ensures the energy metabolism of the cerebral cells. During pregnancy, the dietary reduction of iodine induces severe cerebral dysfunction, eventually leading to cretinism.
Iron is necessary for the synthesis of neurotransmitters and myelin. Iron deficiency is found in children with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder. These indicate the possible importance of iron in the etiology of depression since its deficiency is known to cause fatigue and depression.
At least five studies have shown that zinc levels are lower in those with clinical depression. Zinc also protects the brain cells against the potential damage caused by free radicals.
The overall findings make it clear that nutrition matters in mental health. So it is time for the clinicians to consider diet and additional nutrients as part of the treating package to manage the enormous burden of mental ill health. It is also time to advocate for a more integrative approach to psychiatry with diet and nutrition as key elements.
The writer is a nutritionist.