Resume: Switching to a Mediterranean diet significantly improved symptoms of depression in young men, a new study reports.
Source: university of sydney
Young men with a poor diet saw a significant improvement in their depression symptoms when they switched to a healthy Mediterranean diet, a new study shows.
Depression is a common mental health condition that affects an estimated 1 million Australians each year. It is a significant risk factor for suicide, the leading cause of death in young adults.
The 12-week randomized control trial, conducted by researchers at the University of Technology Sydney, was recently published in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Lead researcher Jessica Bayes, a doctoral candidate in the UTS School of Health, said the study was the first randomized clinical trial to assess the impact of a Mediterranean diet on symptoms of depression in young men (ages 18 to 25). ).
“We were surprised by how willing young people were to adopt a new diet,” Bayes said. “Those assigned to the Mediterranean diet were able to significantly change their original diets, under the guidance of a nutritionist, in a short period of time.”
“It suggests that clinicians and psychologists should consider referring depressed youth to a nutritionist or dietitian as an important component of clinical depression treatment,” he said.
The study contributes to the emerging field of nutritional psychiatry, which aims to explore the effect that certain nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns may have on mental health. The diet used in the study was rich in colorful vegetables, legumes and whole grains, oily fish, olive oil and raw unsalted nuts.
“The main focus was to increase diet quality with fresh whole foods while reducing intake of ‘fast’ foods, sugar and processed red meat,” Bayes said.
“There are many reasons why we scientifically think that food affects mood. For example, about 90 percent of serotonin, a chemical that helps us feel happy, is produced in our intestines by our gut microbes. There is emerging evidence that these microbes can communicate with the brain through the vagus nerve, in what is called the gut-brain axis.
“In order to have beneficial microbes, we need to feed them fiber, which is found in legumes, fruits and vegetables,” he said.
Approximately 30 percent of depressed patients do not respond adequately to standard treatments for major depressive disorder, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressant medications.
“Nearly all of our participants continued with the program, and many were eager to continue the diet after the study ended, showing how effective, tolerable, and valuable they found the intervention.”
About this research news on diet and depression
Author: Leilah Schubert
Source: university of sydney
Contact: Leilah Schubert – University of Sydney
Image: The image is in the public domain.
original research: Closed access.
“The effect of a Mediterranean diet on symptoms of depression in young men (“AMMEND” study): a randomized control trial” by Jessica Bayes et al. American journal of clinical nutrition
Resume
The effect of a Mediterranean diet on symptoms of depression in young men (“AMMEND” study): a randomized control trial
Bottom
Depression is a common mental health condition that affects 1 in 8 men each year, especially young adults. Young adulthood offers an opportunity for early dietary interventions, with research suggesting that a Mediterranean diet (MD) might be beneficial in treating depression.
Goal
This study aimed to determine whether an MD can improve depressive symptoms in young men with clinical depression.
See also
Methods
A 12-week, open-label, parallel-group, randomized control trial was conducted to assess the effect of an MD intervention in the treatment of moderate to severe depression in young men (18-25 years). Friendship therapy was chosen for the control group. Assessments were performed at baseline, week 6, and week 12. Adherence to DM was measured with the Mediterranean Adherence Score (MEDAS). The primary outcome measure was the Beck Depression Inventory Scale (BDI-II) and the secondary outcome measure was Quality of Life (QoL).
Results
A total of 72 participants completed the study. After 12 weeks, MEDAS scores were significantly higher in the MD group compared to the friend group (mean difference: 7.8, 95% CI: 7.23, 8.37, p<0.001). The mean change in BDI-II score was significantly greater in the MD group compared to the befriend group at week 12 (mean difference: 14.4, 95% CI: 11.41, 17.39, p<0.001). The mean change in quality of life score was also significantly greater in the MD group compared to the friend group at week 12 (mean difference: 12.7, 95% CI: 7.92, 17.48) , p<0.001).
conclusion
Our results demonstrate that compared to befriending, a MD intervention leads to significant increases in MEDAS score, decreases in BDI-II score, and increases in QoL scores. These results highlight the important role of nutrition for the treatment of depression and should inform the advice given by clinicians to this specific demographic.
