Volume 2 Issue 6, June, 2012
Depression, Anxiety & Substance abuse are among the most common mental disorders that are important in community medicine. Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are severe mental disorders causing significant disability. Many psychiatric disorders have been associated with deficiency of dietary nutrients like, essential vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are important in management at community level through education of public.
Studies have shown that daily supplements of certain vital nutrients often have additive effect on bringing down patients’ symptoms. Supplements that contain amino acids also reduce symptoms, because they are converted to neurotransmitters that alleviate certain psychiatric disorders.
The most common nutritional deficiencies seen in mental disorder patients are of omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are precursors to neurotransmitters.
Although many population studies have linked high fish consumption to a low incidence of certain mental disorders, more systematic research needs to be undertaken. It has been postulated that this may be due to a direct result of omega-3 fatty acid intake. Diets lacking in fruits and vegetables further contributes to vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Role of Amino acids
Depression has been known to be associated with deficiencies in neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, and GABA. As reported in several studies, the amino acids tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine, and methionine are often helpful in treating many mood disorders, including depression.
Tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin has been found to induce sleep and tranquility and in cases of serotonin deficiencies, restore serotonin levels leading to diminished depression. Foods rich in tryptophan are red meat, nuts, soybeans etc.
Tyrosine an amino acid, is converted into dopamine and nor epinephrine. Dietary supplements that contain tyrosine like almonds, avocados and banana lead to alertness and arousal.
Fats and fatty acids
Since the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids from fish and other sources has declined in most populations, the incidence of major depression has increased. The, antidepressant effects may be due to Eicosa Pentanoic Acid (EPA) being converted into prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and other chemicals the brain needs. Diets containing omega-3 fatty acid having 1.5 to 2 g of EPA per day have been shown to stimulate mood elevation in depressed patients. The other sources of omega-3 fatty acids are plant and nut oils.
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamin B (e.g., folate), and magnesium deficiencies have been linked to depression. Studies done worldwide suggest that patients treated with folic acid and vitamin B12 will exhibit decreased depression symptoms. Tetrafolate is already in market for adjuvant therapy in depression. Apart from these, vitamin B1 deficiency is implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders like Wernicke’s encephalopathy, Korsakoff’s psychosis, pyridoxine in depression and B12 deficiency in peripheral neuropathy. Chronic Iron deficiency leads to poor overall performance with decreased cognitive function in school going children.
In addition, magnesium has been found to be beneficial in recovery from major depression.
In conclusion, studies have highlighted that many psychiatric disorders can be managed better by additional healthy diet with nutrients. So old saying, ‘Eat healthy to stay healthy’ also includes mentally healthy, this holds valuable & cost effective way in community health care.
AIMS, Bellur.
