Nourish to flourish: Unlock mental wellness through nutrition

Abstract:

Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health disorders and adversely affect one in five individuals. These disorders can produce a large, long-lasting decrease in health and functioning. While depression and anxiety can be partially managed by psychotherapy and medications, many people do not experience relief from their symptoms and may even experience symptom returns. Long-term dietary habits can provide mental health benefits by acting on multiple different pathways, as opposed to a single nutrient. Refined carbohydrate diets and high sugar diets lead to increased stress response and dysregulated glycemic control, and subsequently cause mood dysregulation. Poor diet can disrupt homeostasis and cause immune system activation that leads to symptoms of anxiety and depression. The gut-brain axis is also impacted by diet. An imbalance in gut microbiota can lead to activation of inflammatory pathways and production of neuroactive compounds. Diets consisting of healthy fats and fiber protect gut microbiota and brain function. Selecting a healthy diet can significantly improve depression and anxiety symptoms and may be an inexpensive supplement to care for patients with these disorders.