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April 24, 2023 by BHP Leave a Comment

Food and Mood

The links between mood, mental health, sleep quality and nutrition are areas of research interest. Associations between the type and quality of a person’s diet and risk of anxiety and depression are increasingly described in literature. Complexities around the multidirectional relationship between diet and mental health are becoming more understood (Firth et al 2020) and it has been long established that poor sleep increases inflammation and stress hormones in the body.

Brain function requires a steady supply of glucose as its primary fuel which comes mostly from starchy carbohydrates. Energy which is slowly released, such as low glycaemic index carbohydrates, provide the optimal energy release for use by the body https://glycemicindex.com/. The brain also requires dietary fats as it is made up of 50 per cent fat, with brain cells needing fats to maintain their structure. Data supports unsaturated fats and omega-3 helps to ensure the brain is well nourished. Whereas trans-fats found in processed and packaged foods (meats, cakes, biscuits) seem to be harmful to brain structure and function.

Protein is essential for the growth, maintenance, and repair of all body cells, including the brain. Total protein intake and the quality of protein intake is important to ensure the body receives all the essential amino acids required for health. Good sources of protein include fish, chicken, lean red meat, meat substitutes, beans, quinoa, and nuts. Furthermore, protein contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid which is a precursor of serotonin synthesis and is thought to help with less depressive symptoms and anxiety. Tryptophan sources include fish, poultry, eggs and game, some green leafy vegetables such as spinach, pulses and seeds.

Specific evidence looking at nutrients directly linked to mental health include B vitamins (including folate) and zinc with research suggesting that these nutrients are important in managing depression. Vitamin D has also received attention as to whether vitamin D deficiency causes depression. There is no evidence that this is the case, however there is a correlation between people who have depression and low levels of vitamin D. This is likely to be a causal effect from the social withdrawal and isolation from feeling depressed. There is evidence that not having enough vitamin D leads to depression symptoms. Eating a colourful variety of fruit and vegetables at least 5 portions per day (1portion = 80g), consuming foods fortified with vitamin D and getting safe sun exposure helps provides a wide range of vitamins and minerals sufficient for health and well-being. In addition, some researchers think that omega-3 oils, found in oily fish, may also help with depression. Oily fish twice per week such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, and trout is recommended.

A healthy brain contains up to 78 per cent water, therefore dehydration may also affect mood. Caffeine can lead to dehydration, withdrawal headaches and to low or irritable mood when the effects wear off. Drinking too much alcohol causes dehydration and can lead to B vitamin deficiencies, which increases depressive feelings or anxiety. Alcohol should be limited to within safe limits of units per week along with at least two alcohol free days per week.

Eating and drinking pattern is also important. Regular eating ensures optimal blood sugar control and as described above, links to our body’s functions, including brain health.

Avoiding over-eating and eating a main meal by 7.30pm encourages better sleep quality, which in turn supports our body’s natural circadian rhythm or body clock. Lack of good sleep also affects how much we eat. Research at King’s College, London, found that even partial sleep deprivation increased daily calorie intake of the equivalent of four slices of bread.

A recent area of interest is the link between our gut microbiome and mental health. As well as supporting our gut health, the microbiome is linked to stress and sleep quality and conversely sleep deprivation is known to negatively affect the gut microbiome after only two days of reduced sleep quantity and quality.

Such preventative measures to help with optimising mental health, gut health and overall well-being is key to maintaining a long-term positive lifestyle and will pay dividends in your overall health and happiness.

For further food examples, please refer to my blog called ‘Practical Examples for Food and Mood‘.

Rebecca Mead is an accredited, registered and experienced Psychotherapist offering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) to individuals adults.  Rebecca is available at our Brighton and Hove Practice.

 

Further reading by Rebecca Mead –

Online vs in-person therapy

Loneliness and CBT

Enhancing the Positive Self 

Is that a fact or an opinion? 

As we come out of lockdown, will a number of us be feeling socially anxious?

 

Resources:
• https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/fat.html
• https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/omega-3.html
• https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/fruit-and-vegetables-how-to-get-five-a-day.html
• https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/vitamin-d.html
• https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/probiotics.html
• https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/the-importance-of-hydration.html
• https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/depression-diet.html
• https://www.bda.uk.com/news-campaigns/campaigns/one-blue-dot/sustainable-
september/nutritional-considerations-for-dietitians.html
• https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/the-risks-of-drinking-too-much/

References

Al Khatib HK, Harding SV, Darzi J, Pot GK (2017) The effects of partial sleep deprivation on energy balance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Nutr;71(5):614-624. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2016.201

Appleton KM, Rogers PJ, Ness AR (2010) Updated systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on depressed mood. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 91(3):757-70.

Arens U (2018) Authorised EU health claims for carbohydrates and maintenance of normal brain function. In: Foods, Nutrients and food Ingredients with Authorised EU Health Claims – volume 3. Woodhead Publishing.

Cuomo A et al (2017) Depression and Vitamin D Deficiency: Causality, Assessment, and Clinical Practice Implications. Neuropsychiatry. 7(5) 606-614.

Firth J, et al (2020). Food and mood: how do diet and nutrition affect mental wellbeing? BMJ; 369;m2382 doi:10.1136/bmj.m2382.

Gomez-Pinilla, F (2008) Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function. Nat Rev Neurosci 9 (7) 568-578.

Kraguljac NV, et al (2009) Efficacy of omega3 Fatty acids in mood disorders – a systematic review and meta analysis. Psychopharmacology Bulletin. 42(3):39-54.

Lespérance F, et al (2011). The efficacy of omega-3 supplementation for major depression: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2011 Aug;72(8):1054-62. doi: https://doi.org/10.4088/jcp.10m05966blu

Letchumanan V, Thye AY, Tan LT, et al (2021) Gut feelings in depression: microbiota dysbiosis in response to antidepressants. Gut;70:A49-A50.

Lin PY, Huang SY, Su KP (2010) A meta-analytic review of polyunsaturated fatty acid compositions inpatients with depression. Biological Psychiatry. (68(2):140-7.

Lindseth G, Helland B, Caspers J (2015) The effects of dietary tryptophan on affective disorders. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 29(2):102-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.apnu.2014.11.008

Martins JG. (2009) EPA but not DHA appears to be responsible for the efficacy of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in depression: evidence from a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 28(5):525-42.

Mischoulon D et al. (2009) A double-blind, randomized controlled trial of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate for major depressive disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 70(12):1636-44.

Murakami K, Sasaki S. (2010) Dietary intake and depressive symptoms: a systematic review of observational studies. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research 54(4):471-88.

Penckofer S, et al. (2010) Vitamin D and depression: where is all the sunshine? Issues Ment Health Nurs. 31(6):385-93. doi: https://doi.org/10.3109%2F01612840903437657

Pouwer F, et al (2005) Fat food for a bad mood. Could we treat and prevent depression in Type 2 diabetes by means of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids? A review of the evidence. Diabet Med. 2005 Nov;22(11):1465-75. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2005.01661.x

Rocha Araujo DM, Vilarim MM, Nardi A (2010) What is the effectiveness of the use of polyunsaturated fatty acid omega-3 in the treatment of depression? Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics 10(7):1117-29.

Rogers, PJ. (2007) Review: Caffeine, mood and mental performance in everyday life. Nutrition Bulletin 32, pp.84-89

Rondanelli M, et al. (2010) Effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on depressive symptoms and on health-related quality of life in the treatment of elderly women with depression: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. J Am Coll Nutr 29(1):55-64.

Royal College of Psychiatrists (2019) Alcohol and depression. [online] Available at: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/alcohol-and-depression [Accessed 27 March 2023]

Somer E (2000). Food & Mood: The Complete Guide to Eating Well and Feeling Your Best, Second Edition

Walker JG, et al (2010) Mental health literacy, folic acid and vitamin B12, and physical activity for the prevention of depression in older adults: randomised controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry Jul;197(1):45-54

Wurtman, RJ., et al (2003) Effects of normal meals rich in carbohydrate or protein on plasma tryptophan and tyrosine ratios. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 77 (1) pp.128-32

Filed Under: Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, Mental Health, Rebecca Mead, Sleep Tagged With: Diet, Food, Mental Health

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