The connection between nutrition and physical health is a well researched topic – there are dietary guidelines to control hypertension, diabetes or to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. The list goes on and on. However, the area of how good nutrition can help prevent and treat mental health issues is still a newer topic to many people in health care.
According to Promoting Mental Health Through Healthy Eating and Nutritional Care by Davidson et al. (2012), “Optimal nutrition supports the mental health of Canadians, and could reduce health and social costs. From health promotion strategies to prevent mental health issues to the treatment of mental health issues, nutrition plays a role. Here is some of the evidence:
People that eat a diet including whole grains, fruit and vegetables are 35% less likely to develop depression – and the opposite if true for highly processed foods. People that have diets high in processed foods can have up to a 60% higher risk of developing depression (Diet and Nutrition Infographic, 2016).
In regards to treatment, the SMILES trial set out to answer the following question: If I improve my diet, will my mood improve? The study concluded that participants in the dietary intervention group (a Modified Mediterranean Diet) had a much greater reduction in their depressive symptoms over the three-month period, compared to those in the control group (social support group) (Jacka, 2017).
Despite evidence that demonstrates that Registered Dietitian services improve health outcomes and are cost-effective, the services of this allied health professional in mental health promotion are currently lacking (Dietitians of Canada, 2012). To better integrate nutritional and mental health services, Davison et al. (2012) suggests the following:
1. Advocate for Nutrition and Mental Health in Practice and Policy
2. Developing Mental Health Competency and Training for Registered Dietitians
3. Program Planning and Collaboration
4. Screening and Standards in Nutrition and Mental Health
5. Mental Health and Nutrition Research
Although I do believe nutrition and mental health integration is improving, we can always do better to improve collaboration between health care providers. Let’s jump on the bandwagon!
References:
Davison KM, Ng E, Chandrasekera U, Seely C, Cairns J, Mailhot-Hall L, Sengmueller E, Jaques M, Palmer J, Grant-Moore J for Dietitians of Canada. (2012). Promoting Mental Health through Healthy Eating and Nutritional Care. Toronto: Dietitians of Canada, 2012. Access at: www.dietitians.ca/mentalhealth
Diet and Nutrition Infographic (2016). Food and Mood Centre. Retrieved from: http://foodandmoodcentre.com.au/diet-and-nutrition-infographic/
Jacka, F. N., ONeil, A., Opie, R., Itsiopoulos, C., Cotton, S., Mohebbi, M., Berk, M. (2017). A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the SMILES™ trial). BMC Medicine, 15(1), 23. doi:10.1186/s12916-017-0791-y
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