Microbiome, Anxiety & Depression (2011)

This study investigated the microbiome, anxiety & depression. It is understood that there is constant communication between the gut and the brain (the gut-brain axis). In this study, mice were fed a strain of probiotic (gut bacteria) or placebo. The mice who received the probiotics showed significantly fewer stress, anxiety and depression-related behaviours than the unsupplemented mice (controls).  Not only was their behaviour different, but their levels of stress hormones were lower too. The researchers also observed altered GABA activity in the brains of the supplemented mice, suggesting a direct effect on brain chemistry.

Bravo JA, Forsythe P, Chew MV, Escaravage E, Savignac HM, Dinan TG, Bienenstock J, Cryan JF. (2011) Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Aug 29. [Epub ahead of print]

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Breakfast & Cognition (2006)

This study examined the relationship between consumption of breakfast  & cognition. Subjects included 7,343 10th grade students from Oslo, Norway who completed a questionnaire assessing these variables. The main finding from this study was that eating breakfast regularly is associated with less mental distress and improved academic performance. The association was stronger for boys, than girls.

Lien, L., ‘Is breakfast consumption related to mental distress and academic performance in adolescents?’, Public Health Nutrition, 10(4), 422-428, 2006 July

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Depression & Processed Foods (2009)

This study investigated depression & processed foods. Eating a diet high in processed food increases the risk of depression, according to a recent study.  Data on diet among 3,500 middle-aged civil servants was compared with self reported depression five years later. Those in the ‘whole food’ (plenty of vegetables, fruit and fish) group had a lower risk of depression compared with those who had a high consumption of processed foods, the University College London team found.  The team said the study was the first to look at the UK diet and depression.

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Akbaraly, T. N., Brunner, E. J., Ferrie, J. E., Marmot, M. G., Kivimaki, M., & Singh-Manoux, A. (2009). Dietary pattern and depressive symptoms in middle age. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science, 195(5), 408–413. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.108.058925

Iron & Depression (2007)

This study investigated iron & depression. Two hundred women who were not anaemic had their mood and blood iron levels measured. The iron levels in the women who were rated as depressed (67) were significantly lower than in the healthy controls (125).

M Vahdat Shariatpanaahi et al., ‘The relationship between depression and serum ferritin level’, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 61; 532-535, 2007

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Vitamins, Minerals & Mood (2007)

This study investigated vitamins, minerals & mood. 225 hospitalised acutely ill elderly people were either given a normal hospital diet plus multivitamin and mineral supplements (providing 100 per cent of the Reference Nutrient Intakes for a healthy older person for vitamins and minerals), or a normal hospital diet plus a placebo for six weeks. Measures of mood and mental agility were taken at the start, at six weeks and six months later. There were significant differences in symptoms of depression scores in the supplement group compared with the placebo group at 6 months. This effect was seen in all patient groups including those with no symptoms of depression, mild depression and those with severe depression.

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Omega 3, Depression & Children (2006)

This study investigated omega 3, depression & children. Antidepressant medication is not recommended for children due to concerns over adverse side effects. In this pilot study of omega-3 fatty acids in children with major depression, 28 children aged between 6 and 12 years old were assessed using the Children’s Depression Rating Scale (CDRS), Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), and Clinical Global Impression (CGI). Children were given either omega-3 fatty acids or sugar pills (placebo) for up to 16 weeks. Analysis of the results showed highly significant benefits of omega-3 versus placebo, on symptoms measured by the CDRS, CDI, and CGI rating scales.

H Nemets et al ‘Omega-3 Treatment of Childhood Depression: A Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study’. Am J Psychiatry 2006; 163:1098–1100

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Folate & Depression (2004)

This review explored folate & depression. A review of all randomized controlled trials that compared treatment with folic acid or 5′-methyltetrahydrofolic acid to an alternative treatment, for patients with depression. Three randomized trials (247 participants) were included. Two studies assessed the use of folate in addition to other treatment, and found that adding folate reduced Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores on average by a further 2.65 points [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38-4.93]. The remaining study found no significant difference when folate alone was compared with trazodone. The limited available evidence suggests folate may have a potential role as a supplement to for depression. It is currently unclear if this is the case both for people with normal folate levels, and for those with folate deficiency.

M J Taylor, ‘Folate for depressive disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.’, J Psychopharmacol., 18(2):251-6, 2004

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Omega-3 & Pregnancy (2008)

This study explored omega 3 & pregnancy. Canadian researchers found that higher levels of the omega-3 DHA in the umbilical cord at birth was associated with better vision at 6 months of age and better performance in mental and coordination tests at 11 months in a study of 109 babies. Higher levels of DHA were also associated with a lower rate of pre-term delivery. The same benefits to the baby were not seen from DHA in breast milk, leading the researchers to assert that DHA is particularly important in the 3rd trimester as the brain goes through a ‘growth spurt’. DHA is found in oily fish and seed oils.

J L Jacobson et al. ‘Beneficial effects of a polyunsaturated fatty acid on infant development: evidence from the inuit of arctic Quebec.’ J Pediatr. 2008 Mar;152(3):356-64

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Omega 3 & Cognitive Performance (2007)

This research investigated omega 3 & cognitive performance. Dutch researchers used data from a trial involving 404 men and women (average age 60 at the start). The researchers report that higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids was associated with a 60 % lower decline in mental processing speed over three years.

Dullemeijer C et al., ‘n 3 Fatty acid proportions in plasma and cognitive performance in older adults’, Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Nov;86(5):1479-85

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Vitamin D & Parkinson’s (2011)

This study investigated Vitamin D & Parkinson’s. Early, untreated Parkinson’s disease is linked to a deficiency in vitamin D, more so than in those without the disease. In this 5-year study of 157 participants, the majority had some level of deficiency at the start of the trial. However, at the end of the study, vitamin D levels had increased suggesting that levels do not necessarily decline with disease progression.

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Vitamin D deficiency linked to Parkinson’s  M Evatt et al., Arch Neurol. 2011;68(3):314-319