Fish consumption and resilience to depression in Japanese company workers: a cross-sectional study

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in Chilean university students: a cross-sectional study

This study aims to determine the association of adherence to the Mediterranean diet and its food groups with depressive symptoms in Chilean university students. The study design was cross-sectional. A total of 934 first-year students at a Chilean public university completed a self-report questionnaire. To assess adherence to Mediterranean diet, an index validated in Chile (Chilean-MDI) was used, and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were assessed using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of adherence to Mediterranean diet and its food groups with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms adjusted for the main confounders. Students with moderate and high adherence to Mediterranean diet showed lower odds of depression [DASS-21 > 5, odds ratio (OR) = 0.64; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.47-0.88] than those with low adherence to Mediterranean diet. The consumption of 1-2 servings/day of vegetables (OR = 0.63; 95%CI: 0.43-0.92), > 2 servings/week of nuts (OR = 0.41; 95%CI: 0.21-0.80), 1-2 servings/day of fruits (OR = 0.60; 95%CI: 0.42-0.85), 1-2 servings/week of fish and seafood (OR = 0.67; 95%CI: 0.48-0.94), and 1/2-3 units/week of avocado (OR = 0.67; 95%CI: 0.48-0.93) showed low odds of depressive symptoms. The consumption of whole grains and cereals (> 2 servings/day) (OR = 1.63; 95%CI: 1.02-2.61) showed the opposite association. Adherence to Mediterranean diet and consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, avocado, fish, and seafood are associated with a lower likelihood of depression in Chilean university students. New policies and educational strategies are recommended to improve diet quality and the mental health of the entire university community.

Association between fish intake and prevalence of frailty in community-dwelling older adults after 4-year follow-up: the Korean frailty and aging cohort study

Cross-sectional epidemiological studies suggested the intake of fish and seafood was negatively associated with the prevalence of frailty. This study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that the prevalence of frailty is negatively associated with the consumption of total seafood and fish at baseline and 4-year follow-up. Using a multicenter longitudinal study of community-dwelling Korean adults aged 70-84 years old, 953 participants at baseline and 623 participants at 4-year follow-up were included after excluding participants without data on frailty or dietary intake in the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study. Frailty was defined using the Cardiovascular Health Study index, and participants with scores ≥3 were considered frail. The trained dietitians obtained two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls during spring and fall at baseline. The prevalence of frailty was 13.5%. The intake of fish (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.24-0.91; p for trend = 0.028) and total seafood (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.18-0.68; p for trend = 0.002) at baseline was associated with frailty at 4-year follow-up after adjusting for the confounding factors. The intake of fish and total seafood at the baseline was negatively associated with the prevalence of exhaustion, low handgrip strength, and slow gait speed at 4-year follow-up. However, shellfish intake was not associated with frailty. In addition, the intake of fish, shellfish, and total seafood did not differ among the frailty transition groups in terms of deterioration, persistence, and reversal. The total consumption of seafood, particularly fish, could be beneficial for preventing frailty in Korean community-dwelling older adults. In particular, the consumption of fish (total seafood) at baseline could be beneficial for preventing exhaustion, low handgrip strength, and slow gait speed at 4-year follow-up.

Relationship between Vitamin Intake and Resilience Based on Sex in Middle-Aged and Older Japanese Adults: Results of the Shika Study

Epidemiological studies reported that resilience, generally regarded as the ability to manage stress in the face of adversity, correlates with mental health in middle-aged and older adults. Currently, there is limited information on eating habits that affect resilience. Therefore, this cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between vitamin intake and resilience based on sex in community-dwelling middle-aged and older individuals in Shika town, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. A total of 221 participants (106 men and 115 women) aged 40 years or older were included in the analysis. We assessed vitamin intake and resilience using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) and the resilience scale (RS), respectively. A two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that higher intakes of β-carotene and vitamin K were associated with higher RS in women, but not in men. Furthermore, a multiple logistic regression analysis stratified by sex showed that β-carotene and vitamin K were significant independent variables for RS only in women. The present study suggests that higher intakes of β-carotene and vitamin K were associated with higher resilience among middle-aged and older women. The results obtained demonstrate that β-carotene and vitamin K intakes may enhance resilience by strengthening stress tolerance.

Associations between Resilience and Food Intake Are Mediated by Emotional Eating in the NutriNet-Santé Study

BACKGROUND

Resilience, the ability to bounce back or recover from stress, has been associated with several health-related behaviors. However, data on food intake and emotional eating are lacking.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the associations between resilience and diet quality and ultraprocessed food (UPF) and food group consumption, and to assess whether emotional eating was a mediator of these associations.

METHODS

In 2017, 17,840 participants (73.5% female, mean age = 55.4 ± 14.0 y) of the NutriNet-Santé study completed the Brief Resilience Scale, the revised 21-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, and ≥3 self-administered 24-h dietary records. Diet quality was assessed with the modified French National Nutrition and Health Program Guideline Score. Foods and beverages consumed were categorized according to their degree of processing by the NOVA classification. We assessed the association between resilience and emotional eating using linear regression models. We also assessed the mediating role of emotional eating in the associations between resilience and diet quality, energy intake, and UPF and food group consumption, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics.

RESULTS

In our study, resilience was negatively associated with emotional eating (P < 0.0001). More resilient participants had greater overall diet quality, greater intakes of seafood, whole-grain foods, fats, unsalted oleaginous fruits, and alcoholic beverages, and lower intakes of UPFs, starchy foods, dairy desserts, sugary fatty products, and sugar and confectionery (all P < 0.05). Emotional eating was a mediator of the inverse associations between resilience and intake of energy, UPFs, dairy desserts, sugary fatty products, and of the positive associations between resilience and alcoholic beverages (all P < 0.05), with a 20-70% mediation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed that resilience was associated with an overall better diet quality in the NutriNet-Santé population-based study. These associations were partially explained by emotional eating. These findings suggest that resilience should be considered in the promotion of healthy dietary habits.The study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03335644.

Synergistic effects of resilience and serum ghrelin levels on the 12-week pharmacotherapeutic response in patients with depressive disorders

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the individual and combined effects of self-reported resilience and serum ghrelin levels on 12-week remission in outpatients with depressive disorders who received antidepressant treatment.

METHODS

The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CDRS) score and serum ghrelin levels were assessed at baseline in 1,094 patients. The patients initially received antidepressant monotherapy. Patients with an insufficient response or uncomfortable side effects received alternative treatments every 3 weeks (at 3, 6, and 9 weeks). Subsequently, 12-week remission, defined as a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) score of ≤ 7, was evaluated. The individual and combined effects of the CDRS score (low vs. high) and serum ghrelin level (low vs. high) on 12-week remission were analyzed using logistic regression models after adjusting for relevant covariates.

RESULTS

The individual effects of the CDRS score and serum ghrelin level on 12-week remission were not statistically significant. However, the high-CDRS, high-ghrelin group had a significantly higher 12-week remission rate compared to the low-CDRS, low-ghrelin group.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of the CDRS score and serum ghrelin level is useful for predicting 12-week remission in patients with depressive disorders receiving pharmacotherapy.

Association of Blood Mercury Level with the Risk of Depression According to Fish Intake Level in the General Korean Population: Findings from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008-2013

Mercury is a cumulative neurotoxic agent, exposure to high levels of which may increase the risk of psychiatric symptoms. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between blood mercury and depression risk in Korean adults. We analyzed the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) with 11,754 participants (male: 5834 female: 5920) aged ≥19 years from 2008 to 2013. The associations of blood mercury with risk of depression were estimated using multivariate logistic regression after adjustment for potential confounders. We found a significantly increased risk of depression in the highest quintile for blood mercury (multivariate OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.20-3.48; P trend = 0.03) among female, but not male. A stratification analysis by fish intake showed that the association between depression and blood mercury was strengthened (OR = 4.00; 95% CI = 1.51-10.6; P trend = 0.015) among females with the lowest tertile of fish intake. The results of this study suggest that higher levels of blood mercury, especially in cases of lower fish intake, are positively associated with the risk of depression in Korean women.

Linking What We Eat to Our Mood: A Review of Diet, Dietary Antioxidants, and Depression

Studies have shown that diet and nutrition play significant roles in the prevention of depression and its clinical treatment. The present review aims to provide a clear understanding of the associations between diet patterns, specific foods, nutrients such as antioxidants, and depression. As a result, balanced dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet and certain foods such as fish, fresh vegetables, and fruits have been associated with a lower risk of depression or depressive symptoms, while high-fat Western diets and sugar-sweetened beverages have been associated with higher risk of depression or depressive symptoms. Dietary antioxidants such as green tea polyphenols or isoflavonoid intake have been negatively associated with depression or depressive symptoms. It is concluded that diet patterns, specific foods, and antioxidants play important roles in the prevention and clinical treatment of depression.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and risk of depression: a systematic review and updated meta-analysis of observational studies

CONTEXT

More than 300 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with depression, which is a leading cause of disability and disease burden. Elucidating dietary patterns that may reduce the risk of depression could help reduce the incidence of other diseases.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed/MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify relevant publications up to May 2018.

STUDY SELECTION

All observational studies that considered the Mediterranean diet as the exposure variable and depression as the main outcome or as one of the outcome variables were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Two authors independently screened 3229 publications. A total of 14 observational studies were included in the meta-analysis.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two authors independently extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias.

RESULTS

The studies in the meta-analysis included a total of 56 043 participants. When 5 effect sizes from 4 cohort studies were combined, no significant association was observed between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and risk of depression (overall hazard ratio = 0.95; 95%CI, 0.79-1.16). When 3 effect sizes from 3 cohort studies that reported β coefficients were combined, again no significant association was found (β = -0.00; 95%CI, -0.12, 0.12). However, when 9 effect sizes from 9 cross-sectional studies were combined, an inverse significant association was found between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and risk of depression (overall odds ratio = 0.72; 95%CI, 0.60-0.87).

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis of cohort studies revealed no significant association was found between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and risk of depression. However, an inverse significant association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and odds of depression in cross-sectional studies.

The Mediating Effects of Resilience, Morale, and Sense of Coherence Between Physical Activity and Perceived Physical/Mental Health Among Japanese Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of this study was to examine the mediating effects of resilience, morale, and sense of coherence on the relationship between physical activity and respondents' perceived physical/mental health and depression among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. The study included 369 participants with an average age of 74 years from Kasuishimohara District in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. They completed a survey that included the Resilience Scale, the Sense of Coherence Scale, the Medical Outcomes Short Form 8, the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form), and a demographic questionnaire. The results of the path mediation analyses revealed that resilience and morale fully mediated the relationship between physical activity and perceived physical/mental health and depression. However, sense of coherence was not a significant mediator. Some intervention programs are suggested to maximize the effects of physical activity on one's well-being. At-risk populations who need such programs are also discussed.

Chronic Psychological Stress Was Not Ameliorated by Omega-3 Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)

Background: Chronic psychological stress and mental health disorders are endemic in Western culture where population dietary insufficiencies of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) from seafood have been observed. Objective: This study was designed to test for a causal relationship between one of the most active components of fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and chronic psychological stress. Method: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with parallel-assignment to two groups was designed (Trial Id: ACTRN12610000404022). The interventions were four EPA-rich fish oil capsules per day, delivering 2.2 g/d EPA (and 0.44 g/d DHA), or identical placebo (low-phenolic olive oil capsules with 5% fish oil to aid blinding). The primary outcome was the between-group difference on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) after 12 weeks supplementation. An a priori power analysis determined that group sizes of 43 would provide 80% power to detect a significant between-group difference of 12.5%, at α = 0.05. Ninety community members (64 females, 26 males) reporting chronic work stress were recruited via public advertising in northern NSW, Australia. Results: At baseline the omega-3 index (EPA + DHA as % to total fatty acids in red blood cell membranes) was 5.2% in both groups (SD = 1.6% control group; 1.8% active group). After supplementation this remained stable at 5.3% (SD = 1.6%) for the control group but increased to 8.9% (SD = 1.5%) for the active group, demonstrating successful incorporation of EPA into cells. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis found no significant between-group differences in PSS outcome scores post-intervention (b = 1.21, p = 0.30) after adjusting for sex (b = 2.36, p = 0.079), baseline PSS (b = 0.42, p = 0.001) and baseline logEPA [b = 1.41, p = 0.185; F(3, 86) = 8.47, p < 0.01, n = 89, R-square = 0.243]. Discussion: Treatment increased cell membrane EPA but, contrary to the hypothesis, there was no effect on perceived stress. Limitations included an imbalance of gender in groups after randomization (68% of the males were in the placebo group). While we found no significant interaction between sex and group on the outcome after adjusting for baseline PSS, larger studies with groups stratified for gender may be required to further confirm these findings. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that 2. 2 g/day of EPA for 12 weeks did not reduce chronic psychological stress.

Sex Differences in the Relationship between Sleep Behavior, Fish Consumption, and Depressive Symptoms in the General Population of South Korea

Sleep, fish consumption, and depression have a close relationship; however, the role of sex differences in sleep, fish consumption, and depression research is not yet well-established. This study aimed to examine whether the impact of bedtime, sleep-onset latency, sleep duration, sleep quality, and fish consumption on depressive symptoms differed in women and men. An online survey was conducted in South Korea with a stratified random sample of 600 participants between the ages of 20 and 69, whose gender and age were proportional to estimates of Korea's general population. The 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used to measure depressive symptoms with a cut-off score of 16. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was applied to evaluate sleep timing, sleep-onset latency, sleep duration, and sleep quality. Our results indicated that late bedtime and short sleep duration were independently associated with depressive symptoms in women. Sleep-onset latency and poor sleep quality were independently associated with increased prevalence of depressive symptoms in both men and women. Higher fish consumption was significantly associated with decreased prevalence of depressive symptoms in men only. Our findings suggested the importance of a different approach for men and women in terms of promoting healthy sleep habits. In addition, higher fish consumption may be beneficial in the primary prevention of depression in Korean men. Further research is needed to confirm the findings from this cross-sectional study.

The Role of Lipid Biomarkers in Major Depression

In the UK, the lifetime-documented prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) is currently 10%. Despite its increasing prevalence and devastating impact on quality of life, the pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning MDD remain to be fully elucidated. Current theories of neurobiological components remain incomplete and protein-centric, rendering pharmacological treatment options suboptimal. In this review, we highlight the pivotal role of lipids in intra- and inter-neuronal functioning, emphasising the potential use of lipids as biomarkers for MDD. The latter has significant implications for improving our understanding of MDD at the cellular and circuit level. There is particular focus on cholesterol (high and low density lipoprotein), omega-3, and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids due to established evidence in the literature of a link between atherosclerotic disease and major depression. We argue that there is significant potential scope for the use of such peripheral biomarkers in the diagnosis, stratification and treatment of MDD.

Serum lipid changes following the onset of depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women

A cross-sectional association between depression and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) has been noted in psychiatric literature, raising the question of temporality: does low LDL-c predict depression, does depression lead to changes in LDL-c levels, or is this relationship bidirectional? In a previous longitudinal analysis of postmenopausal women ages 50-79 who participated in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), we detected an association between low LDL-c and the subsequent onset of depressive symptoms (HR=1.25, 95% CI 1.05-1.49, p=0.01). This current study uses the WHI cohort to explore the question of temporality in the opposite direction, examining the influence of depressive symptoms on subsequent changes in LDL-c levels. This study provides no evidence to suggest an association between depression and subsequent changes in LDL-c level (-2.78mg/dL, 95% CI=-7.49 to 1.92, p=0.25), nor was any association detected for total cholesterol, HDL, or triglyceride changes over time. Further, this study demonstrates that the relationship between depression and serum LDL changes is not mediated by changes in weight, exercise, or energy intake.

Personal lifestyle as a resource for work engagement

Objectives:

Personal lifestyle, including diet, exercise, and sleep, might have an impact on work engagement, though previous studies have not focused on these relationships. The aim of this study was to examine whether dietary intake of fish, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, abstinence from alcohol, and abstinence from tobacco were positively associated with work engagement.

Methods:

We recruited adults aged 40-74 years who attended the health checkups with a particular focus on the metabolic syndrome in central Tokyo. In December 2015, 797 people responded to a questionnaire and 592 (74.3%) who had regular jobs were selected for this study. Work engagement was assessed on the 9-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9). Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine the relationships between lifestyle and UWES-9.

Results:

Dietary intake of fish, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and abstinence from tobacco were significantly correlated with the total UWES-9 score, even after adjusting for age, sex, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. The results suggested a dose-response relationship between dietary fish intake and work engagement.

Conclusions:

Dietary fish intake, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and abstinence from tobacco might be lifestyle factors that can serve as resources for work engagement. These findings could be useful in motivating employees to make lifestyle improvements and convincing employers and managers that lifestyle is important not only for health but also for productivity.

Resilience associated with mental health problems among methadone maintenance treatment patients in Guangzhou, China

A considerable proportion of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clients have experienced mental health problems (e.g., depression and anxiety), and poor mental health status is associated with HIV-related risk behaviors and treatment drop-out. Resilience is known to be a protective factor for mental health problems but is not studied among MMT clients in China. This study aimed to explore the relationship between resilience and mental health problems (depression, anxiety and stress) among clients of community-based MMT clinics in China. A total of 208 MMT clients completed the face-to-face interview conducted at 4 of 11 MMT clinics in Guangzhou. The Chinese short version of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess the presence of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) was used to measure resilience. Logistic regression models were fit in data analyses. Of all participants, 12.8%, 19.5% and 8.3% had depression, anxiety and stress, respectively. The mean resilience score was 57.6 (SD = 15.9). In the univariate analyses, resilience was negatively associated with two studied mental health problems (depression and anxiety, OR_u = 0.96 and 0.96, p < .01). In multivariate models adjusting for both background and other psycho-social factors, resilience was independently associated with probable depression (OR_a = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99) and anxiety (OR_a = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99). Resilience was independently associated with depression and anxiety. As resilience is changeable, interventions targeting mental health problems of MMT users should consider resilience as an important part in the designing of such interventions.

Association between frequency of fried food consumption and resilience to depression in Japanese company workers: a cross-sectional study

Background

Long-chain n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3/n-6 PUFA) play important roles in emotional regulation. We previously reported an association between fish consumption, which is major source of LC n-3 PUFA, and resilience to depression, where resilience is the ability to cope with stress in the face of adversity. Although the traditional Japanese dietary pattern of high fish consumption is associated with low depressive symptoms, the current Japanese diet pattern has become westernized. Westernized diets contain excessive amounts of LC n-6 PUFA due to high intake of vegetable oils commonly used in fried food and are associated with risk of depression. The aim of this study was to examine the association between frequency of fried food consumption and resilience to depression.

Methods

Participants were 715 Japanese company workers. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to measure depressive symptoms, and the 14-item Resilience Scale (RS-14) was used to measure resilience. Frequency of fish and fried food consumption was assessed using a self-report questionnaire based on the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Regression analyses using Preacher and Hayes’ bootstrap script were used to adjust for demographic factors, frequency of physical exercise, and fish consumption.

Results

Significant associations were identified between frequency of fried food consumption and total CES-D score (path c, B = 0.72; P < 0.01), between frequency of fried food consumption and total RS-14 score (path a, B = −1.73, P < 0.01), and between total RS-14 score and CES-D score (path b, B = −0.35; P < 0.01). The association between fried food consumption and total CES-D score was not significant when we controlled for RS-14 score. Bootstrapping results showed that there was a significant positive indirect association between frequency of fried food and CESD score through RS-14 (95 % bias-corrected and accelerated confidence interval = 0.34 to 0.92).

Conclusion

Frequency of fried food consumption was associated with lower resilience to depression. Further nutritional interventional studies to increase resilience and prevent depression are warranted.

Association between regular physical exercise and depressive symptoms mediated through social support and resilience in Japanese company workers: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Regular physical exercise has been reported to reduce depressive symptoms. Several lines of evidence suggest that physical exercise may prevent depression by promoting social support or resilience, which is the ability to adapt to challenging life conditions. The aim of this study was to compare depressive symptoms, social support, and resilience between Japanese company workers who engaged in regular physical exercise and workers who did not exercise regularly. We also investigated whether regular physical exercise has an indirect association with depressive symptoms through social support and resilience.

METHODS

Participants were 715 Japanese employees at six worksites. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale, social support with the short version of the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ), and resilience with the 14-item Resilience Scale (RS-14). A self-report questionnaire, which was extracted from the Japanese version of the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile, was used to assess whether participants engage in regular physical exercise, defined as more than 20 min, three or more times per week. The group differences in CES-D, SSQ, and RS-14 scores were investigated by using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Mediation analysis was conducted by using Preacher and Hayes' bootstrap script to assess whether regular physical exercise is associated with depressive symptoms indirectly through resilience and social support.

RESULTS

The SSQ Number score (F = 4.82, p = 0.03), SSQ Satisfaction score (F = 6.68, p = 0.01), and RS-14 score (F = 6.01, p = 0.01) were significantly higher in the group with regular physical exercise (n = 83) than in the group without regular physical exercise (n = 632) after adjusting for age, education, marital status, and job status. The difference in CES-D score was not significant (F = 2.90, p = 0.09). Bootstrapping revealed significant negative indirect associations between physical exercise and CES-D score through the SSQ Number score (bias-corrected and accelerated confidence interval (BCACI) = -0.61 to -0.035; 95 % confidence interval (CI)), SSQ Satisfaction score (BCACI = -0.92 to -0.18; 95 % CI), and RS-14 score (BCACI = -1.89 to -0.094; 95 % CI).

CONCLUSION

Although we did not find a significant direct association between exercise and depressive symptoms, exercise may be indirectly associated with depressive symptoms through social support and resilience. Further investigation is warranted.

Does Diet Matter? The Use of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) and Other Dietary Supplements in Inflammation-Associated Depression

An increasingly pertinent issue in psychiatry in recent years is that of the limitations of conventional antidepressants, which are not effective in a large number of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Coupled with emerging hypotheses about the role of inflammation in depression, it would appear that it is time to look for alternative treatments for these symptoms.This review will examine an emerging area in psychiatry, that of dietary supplements and the diet in general to treat depressive symptoms, and inflammation in depression. In particular, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), probiotics and folic acid are three supplements that demonstrate the ability to target inflammation and other underlying systems in depression. While there is a definite need for more research in all these supplements to determine true efficacy, dosage and target populations, they can be used as mono- or adjunctive therapies to good effect, and show superior safety profiles when compared with more traditional alternatives.