13/10/2021
We wanted to spotlight the role of nutrition in mental health disorders for this months World Mental Health Week. There have been many studies demonstrating that a good quality diet is important for preventing the risk of mental health disorders. One of our favourite studies to date, the SMILES trial, also shows the role diet can play as part of a holistic approach to treatment of mental health disorders such as depression.
This study looked at the role of a modified Mediterranean diet in those experiencing symptoms of depression. Two groups were compared, both groups received social support and continued their medication use if required. However, one group received this modified Mediterranean dietary intervention with nutritional counselling and support.
The study found that participants in the dietary intervention group had a much greater reduction in their depressive symptoms over a three-month period, compared to those in the social support group. At the end of the trial, 33% of those in the dietary support group met criteria for remission of major depression, compared to only 8 percent of those in the comparison group.
This highlights the role nutrition can play as part of a multidisciplinary approach to managing depression!
Key components of a diet to improve our Mood
This modified Mediterranean diet is focused around including a diverse range and plenty of plant foods including fruits, vegetables, legumes and wholegrains and healthy fats (from extra virgin olive oil, nuts, seeds and seafood); moderate amounts of lean red meat, poultry and dairy and limiting our intake of extra foods high in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars i.e. highly processed snack foods, processed meats and fast foods.
Dietary Recommendations include:
1 serve of nuts and seeds (daily)
60mL extra virgin olive oil (daily)
2-3 serves of dairy (daily)
3 serves of fruit (daily)
6 serves of vegetables (daily)
5-8 serves of wholegrains (daily)
3-4 serves of legumes (weekly)
At least 2 serves of fish (weekly)
2-3 serves poultry (weekly)
3-4 serves of lean red meat (weekly)
Up to 6 eggs (weekly)
< 3 extras (weekly)