Nutrition and mental health: the importance of diet in depression

As depression rates continue to rise cross-nationally, interest in natural and alternate treatment modes—including nutrition—is increasing. Research studies have established that key nutrients play a role in the mediation of mood and some intervention studies with clinically-depressed patients suggest that supplementation with certain nutrients may offer significant therapeutic potential. More work is needed to establish optimal dosage and treatment duration, in the meantime it is possible to integrate current research knowledge with the principles of healthy eating to provide helpful nutritional advice to those with depression. At the same time, it is important to remember that the condition impacts on all the activities associated with gathering and preparing food and those suffering from moderate to severe depression may be least well-equipped to follow those guidelines.