Nutritional psychiatry: Towards improving mental health by what you eat

This paper explores the emerging field of nutritional psychiatry, which examines the impact of diet on mental health. It highlights evidence linking poor diets to mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, and discusses the role of nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and polyphenols in brain function. The review emphasizes the need for high-quality research to establish how specific diets or nutrients influence mental health through mechanisms like gut microbiota and metabolic processes. Understanding these links could guide dietary interventions for improved mental health and cognitive performance.

Adopting a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, such as the Mediterranean diet, may support mental health and cognitive function. Given the limited causal evidence in the research, these dietary changes should complement, not replace, other treatments for mental health. Personalized approaches based on individual needs and further guidance from healthcare professionals are recommended.