Nutritional psychiatry

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Nutritional psychiatry is an emerging field that investigates the complex relationship between an individual's diet, nutrient intake, and mental health. The discipline integrates clinical principles of psychiatry to explore how nutritional strategies can be utilized for both the prevention and treatment of various mental health disorders. [1]

Contents

Nutrition and mental health

In the field of nutritional psychiatry, there is ongoing research about how different diet patterns influence the development or symptoms of psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. [2] There is also research about how various diets could be potential avenues for treatment of mental health conditions.

In addition, nutrition psychiatry acknowledges the importance of quality diet in relation to improved mood regulation. Research suggests that a quality diet is crucial for developing and maintaining a healthy brain. A healthy diet is generally characterized by a high intake of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, fish, and limited processed foods. Conversely, diets in high processed foods, fats and sugars are associated with anxiety and depression. [1] It is noted that the relationship between diet and mental health is "multi-directional," as people experiencing mental illness may face various barriers that make it difficult to adhere to a balanced diet. [3]

A state of "chronic low-grade inflammation" has been found to play a role in the development of many diseases that affect the brain, including mental disorders and neurodegenerative disorders. [4] Thus, the “Mediterranean diet" is a specific dietary pattern of interest for researchers given its anti-inflammatory effects. It emphasizes vegetables, fruits, olive oil, and limited red meat and sugar. In contrast, the "Western diet" is seen as pro-inflammatory and contains more refined sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. [2] [5]

Furthermore, the field recognizes that micronutrient deficiencies, especially those involving essential B vitamins (B12 and folate), can impair cognition and contribute to psychiatric symptoms, including fatigue and depression. This evidence has led to the successful investigation of dietary improvement programs in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). These trials demonstrate that structured nutritional interventions can effectively serve as a valuable treatment to help mitigate symptoms in individuals with moderate to severe depression. [1]

Depression

There are many factors that have been found to contribute to depression. Some of these include inflammation, oxidative stress, and the brain-gut microbiome system. [6]

A Mediterranean diet has been shown to improve depression. [7] Vitamin D supplementation and fish oil supplementation are also thought to reduce levels of inflammation. Findings suggest that adding vitamin D and fish oil supplements to an existing treatment for depression could have benefits. [8] Ultra-processed foods are also associated with depression. [9]

The gut microbiome has also been shown to influence brain health. [10] The presence of different species of bacteria in the gut will change depending on type of diet pattern, such as a Western versus a Mediterranean diet. [11] Studies have shown that "prebiotic, probiotic, or synbiotic treatment" can reduce depressive symptoms. [2] These treatments can increase the diversity of bacteria in the gut and enhance their survival. [4]

Anxiety

A Mediterranean diet, along with "more fruits and vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, 'healthy' dietary patterns, caloric restriction, breakfast consumption, ketogenic diet, broad-spectrum micronutrient supplementation, zinc, magnesium and selenium, probiotics, and a range of phytochemicals" is associated with less anxiety. [5] Meanwhile, dietary factors associated with increased anxiety include diets high in saturated fats and sugar [5] as well as consuming a high amount of ultra-processed foods. [9]

Other mental health disorders

Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are also associated with inflammation. [2] While more studies are needed, a Mediterranean diet has been shown to be beneficial in bipolar disorder and in schizophrenia. [4]

It is possible that bipolar disorder symptoms could also be improved by diet, specifically by omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and coenzyme Q supplements. A well-balanced diet overall is protective in bipolar disorder, but further research is required to determine whether a specific supplement regimen should become standard. [12]

Evolutionary mismatch

It is also known that modern lifestyle changes have shifted humans away from "traditional dietary patterns," and this may play a role in the development of mental health disorders. Logan and Jacka tell us about an "evolutionary mismatch," stating that diets nowadays have more sodium, saturated fats, and refined sugars. This is in comparison to the "ancestral diets" of humans that was largely plant- and animal-based, with little added fats or sugar. [13] Nutritional psychiatry can be used to explore the fields of biological and environmental factors that influence the mental health that we face today.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hart, Jane (2024-04-01). "Nutritional Psychiatry: Emerging Field Reveals that Dietary Habits Contribute to Risk of Mood Disorders" . Integrative and Complementary Therapies. 30 (2): 60–62. doi:10.1089/ict.2024.29117.jha. ISSN   2768-3192.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dal, Nursel; Bilici, Saniye (2024-06-01). "An Overview of the Potential Role of Nutrition in Mental Disorders in the Light of Advances in Nutripsychiatry". Current Nutrition Reports. 13 (2): 69–81. doi:10.1007/s13668-024-00520-4. ISSN   2161-3311. PMC   11133159 . PMID   38329691.
  3. ↑ Firth, Joseph; Gangwisch, James E; Borsini, Alessandra; Wootton, Robyn E; Mayer, Emeran A (29 June 2020). "Food and mood: how do diet and nutrition affect mental wellbeing?". BMJ. 369 m2382. doi:10.1136/bmj.m2382. hdl: 1983/00cd76a1-3d9d-4c58-a0c6-f0c2e41cdf93 . PMC   7322666 . PMID   32601102.
  4. 1 2 3 van Zonneveld, Sophie M.; van den Oever, Ellen J.; Haarman, Benno C. M.; Grandjean, Emmy L.; Nuninga, Jasper O.; van de Rest, Ondine; Sommer, Iris E. C. (2024-08-10). "An Anti-Inflammatory Diet and Its Potential Benefit for Individuals with Mental Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases—A Narrative Review". Nutrients. 16 (16): 2646. doi: 10.3390/nu16162646 . ISSN   2072-6643. PMC   11357610 . PMID   39203783.
  5. 1 2 3 Aucoin, Monique; LaChance, Laura; Naidoo, Umadevi; Remy, Daniella; Shekdar, Tanisha; Sayar, Negin; Cardozo, Valentina; Rawana, Tara; Chan, Irina; Cooley, Kieran (2021-12-10). "Diet and Anxiety: A Scoping Review". Nutrients. 13 (12): 4418. doi: 10.3390/nu13124418 . ISSN   2072-6643. PMC   8706568 . PMID   34959972.
  6. ↑ Marx, Wolfgang; Lane, Melissa; Hockey, Meghan; Aslam, Hajara; Berk, Michael; Walder, Ken; Borsini, Alessandra; Firth, Joseph; Pariante, Carmine M.; Berding, Kirsten; Cryan, John F.; Clarke, Gerard; Craig, Jeffrey M.; Su, Kuan-Pin; Mischoulon, David (January 2021). "Diet and depression: exploring the biological mechanisms of action". Molecular Psychiatry. 26 (1): 134–150. doi:10.1038/s41380-020-00925-x. ISSN   1476-5578. PMID   33144709.
  7. ↑ Grajek, Mateusz; Krupa-Kotara, Karolina; Białek-Dratwa, Agnieszka; Sobczyk, Karolina; Grot, Martina; Kowalski, Oskar; Staśkiewicz, Wiktoria (2022-08-22). "Nutrition and mental health: A review of current knowledge about the impact of diet on mental health". Frontiers in Nutrition. 9 943998. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.943998 . ISSN   2296-861X. PMC   9441951 . PMID   36071944.
  8. ↑ Raza, Muhammad Liaquat; Hassan, Syed Tawassul; Jamil, Subia; Fatima, Wajiha; Fatima, Madiha (2025-02-01). "Nutritional interventions in depression: The role of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids in neuropsychiatric health". Clinical Nutrition. 45: 270–280. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2025.01.009. ISSN   0261-5614. PMID   39874718.
  9. 1 2 Lane, Melissa M.; Gamage, Elizabeth; Travica, Nikolaj; Dissanayaka, Thusharika; Ashtree, Deborah N.; Gauci, Sarah; Lotfaliany, Mojtaba; O’Neil, Adrienne; Jacka, Felice N.; Marx, Wolfgang (2022-06-21). "Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies". Nutrients. 14 (13): 2568. doi: 10.3390/nu14132568 . ISSN   2072-6643. PMC   9268228 . PMID   35807749.
  10. ↑ Merlo, Gia; Bachtel, Gabrielle; Sugden, Steven G. (2024-02-09). "Gut microbiota, nutrition, and mental health". Frontiers in Nutrition. 11 1337889. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1337889 . ISSN   2296-861X. PMC   10884323 . PMID   38406183.
  11. ↑ Borrego-Ruiz, Alejandro; Borrego, Juan J. (2025-01-01). "Human gut microbiome, diet, and mental disorders". International Microbiology. 28 (1): 1–15. doi:10.1007/s10123-024-00518-6. ISSN   1618-1905. PMC   11775079 . PMID   38561477.
  12. ↑ Gabriel, Fernanda C.; Oliveira, Manoela; De M. Martella, Bruna; Berk, Michael; Brietzke, Elisa; Jacka, Felice N.; Lafer, Beny (2023-07-03). "Nutrition and bipolar disorder: a systematic review". Nutritional Neuroscience. 26 (7): 637–651. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2022.2077031. ISSN   1028-415X. PMID   35608150.
  13. ↑ Logan, Alan C.; Jacka, Felice N. (December 2014). "Nutritional psychiatry research: an emerging discipline and its intersection with global urbanization, environmental challenges and the evolutionary mismatch". Journal of Physiological Anthropology. 33 (1) 22. doi: 10.1186/1880-6805-33-22 . hdl: 10536/DRO/DU:30067241 . PMC   4131231 . PMID   25060574.
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