Nutrition & depression

Question 1

Definition of depression?

Answer 1

A state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being (DSM-5)

Question 2

The following diets are associated with…

• processed foods
• MED diet
• high fish consumption

Answer 2

• higher risk of depression
• lower risk of depression
• maybe explanation reduced depression

Question 3

Which micronutrient deficiencies are associated with a higher risk of depression?

Answer 3

• Lower vit D, B vitamins and folic acid intake: more likely depression

Question 4

A lot of interventions have been done regarding depression, but what are the limitations of these interventions?

Answer 4

They only focused on specific nutrients

Question 5

… in …. = most likely nutrients to be accountable for a protective effect on depression

Answer 5

PUFA in fish

Question 6

What is the rationale for the mood food study (meta analysis)?

Answer 6

– Lack of conclusive evidence.
– Long-term depression prevention trials lacking
– Unclear whether nutrition influences development of depression in a direct manner or whether other mechanisms
(like obesity and/or social environment) are involved as well
- single nutrient studies

Question 7

What is the design of the moodfood meta analysis?

Answer 7

• assess the role of a priori dietary patterns in depression in a number of cohorts using a standardized protocol, then meta-analyse the findings

Question 8

What are the first results of mood food meta analysis?

Answer 8

1. Adults following a healthy dietary pattern have:
   ➢ fewer depressive symptoms
   ➢ lower risk of developing high depressive symptoms

Question 9

What is the objective of the moodfood TRIAL?

Answer 9

examine effectiveness of two different nutritional strategies to prevent a new episode of major depressive disorder

examine effect of one of the nutritional strategies on food consumption and the environmental impact of the diet

.. in high risk overweight persons with subsyndromal symptoms of depression

Question 10

Design of the moodfood trial?

Answer 10

4 groups

• with or without multi-nutrient supplement
• with or without food-related behavioural activation
  12 months
  Age 18-75 yo with depressive symptoms

Question 11

What was in the moodfood supplements?

Answer 11

• Omega-3-FA
• Calcium
• Selenium
• Folic acid
• Vitamin D3

Question 12

Conclusions moodfood trial?

Answer 12

• healthy dietary pattern may reduce the risk of developing depression
• obese people that lose weight can reduce depressive symptoms
• current evidence does not support use of nutritional supplements to prevent depression