Mental Health Flashcards
Disorders
Depression Dementia Anxiety Bipolar Learning disabilities PTSD Eating disorders
Treatment (2)
Psychological
Psychotropic medication
Socio-economic factors
Health inequalities between well and those with mental health problems
Poor health behaviours
Link lower education + psychological stress
CHO/glucose
Brain uses ~20% of all energy
Hypoglycaemia can make us weak/tired
Some evidence sugar intake positively correlated with depression incidence
Tryptophan
Sole precursor of serotonin
Essential AA found in meat + dairy
Low intake may decrease serotonin (assoc low mood)
Cochrane review - better than placebo at treating depression but not strong enough to advise more than adequate protein intake
Comfort eating (3)
High GI meals increase availability of tryptophan
Chocolate = cultural status as reward
Not enough evidence but may be not consuming enough can lead to low mood
B-vitamins
Strong plausibility in affecting brain function as role in neurotransmitter production
Folate
Increased efficacy of antidepressants
Thiamine
Brain needs to use CHO
Deficiency linked to impaired cognition
More research needed
Omega 3 FAs
Not produced in body Involved in neurotransmission EPA > DHA for mood disorders Suboptimal level risk factor for some disorders SACN 3g/wk
Minerals
Zinc
Low levels assoc depression
Regulation of neurotransmitter
Selenium
Deficiency may increase negative mood states
Iron
Involved in neurotransmitter synthesis
Deficiency + impaired performance in mental/motor tests in children
Caffeine
Stimulant
Can exacerbate anxiety
Can cause headache/irritability/chest pain
400mg/d
Probiotics
Theory intestinal bacteria have role in bidirectional signalling between brain + gut
More clinical trials required
Meta analysis 2018 supplementation had overall insignificant effects on mood
