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Nutritional Psychiatry

The New World of Ancient Medicine

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Nutritional Psychiatry looks at the influence of diet on mental health, combining modern neuroscience with the wisdom of ancient medicine.

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The link between Food and Mental Wellness is not new. Ancient medical systems have long recognised diet as central to emotional balance. Today, Nutritional Psychiatry uses evidence-based science to understand how nutrients, dietary patterns, and the gut-brain axis can improve mental wellness (9).

 

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Ancient Roots of Nutritional Psychiatry

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  • Ayurveda: Classifies foods according to their effects on the mind (sattva, rajas, tamas) and uses herbs like ashwagandha for anxiety.

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  • Traditional Chinese Medicine: Integrates dietary therapy to balance yin and yang, linking organ health to emotional stability.

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  • Hippocratic Tradition: "Let food be thy medicine" highlighted diet as a primary tool for disease prevention, including mental ailments.

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These ancient systems intuitively knew that nutrition affects mood, cognition, and resilience

— principles now being validated by neuroscience.

 

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Modern Evidence and Mechanisms

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The Gut-Brain Axis

The gut communicates with the brain via the vagus nerve, immune system, and neurotransmitters.

Diets high in fibre, polyphenols (found in fruit, vegetables, tea, coffee, and chocolate), and

fermented foods support good gut bacteria, known to reduced depression and anxiety (2).

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Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Chronic low-grade inflammation is implicated in depression. Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and unprocessed plant foods lower inflammatory markers and improve mood (6).​

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Nutrient-Specific Benefits

  • Omega-3 fatty acids: Reduce depressive symptoms, especially EPA-rich supplements (3).

  • B vitamins (B6, B12, folate): Essential for methylation and neurotransmitter synthesis (8).

  • Magnesium: Supports GABA function and may reduce anxiety (1).

  • Polyphenols: Found in berries, green tea, and cacao, may enhance cognitive function and reduce neuroinflammation (7).

  • Dietary Patterns

    • Mediterranean diet: Associated with a 33% lower risk of depression (5).

    • SMILES trial: A 12-week dietary intervention improved depressive symptoms compared to social support control (4).

 

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Nutritional Psychiatry bridges the ancient and modern,

offering a scientifically proven framework for using diet to improve mental health.

As research grows, dietary therapy may become a first-line approach

alongside conventional psychiatric care.

 

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References

  1. Boyle, N. B., Lawton, C., & Dye, L. (2017). The effects of magnesium supplementation on subjective anxiety and stress—A systematic review. Nutrients, 9(5), 429. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9050429

  2. Clapp, M., Aurora, N., Herrera, L., Bhatia, M., Wilen, E., & Wakefield, S. (2017). Gut microbiota's effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis. Clinical Practice, 7(4), 987. https://doi.org/10.4081/cp.2017.987

  3. Grosso, G., Pajak, A., Marventano, S., Castellano, S., Galvano, F., & Bucolo, C. (2014). Role of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of depressive disorders: A comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. PLoS ONE, 9(5), e96905. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0096905

  4. Jacka, F. N., O'Neil, A., Opie, R., Itsiopoulos, C., Cotton, S., Mohebbi, M., ... & Berk, M. (2017). A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the SMILES trial). BMC Medicine, 15, 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-017-0791-y

  5. Lai, J. S., Hiles, S., Bisquera, A., Hure, A. J., McEvoy, M., & Attia, J. (2014). A systematic review and meta-analysis of dietary patterns and depression in community-dwelling adults. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 99(1), 181–197. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.113.069880

  6. Lassale, C., Batty, G. D., Baghdadli, A., Jacka, F., Sánchez-Villegas, A., Kivimäki, M., & Akbaraly, T. (2019). Healthy dietary indices and risk of depressive outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Molecular Psychiatry, 24(7), 965–986. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-018-0237-8

  7. Ma, Q., Xing, C., Long, W., Wang, H. Y., Liu, Q., & Wang, R. F. (2021). Impact of microbiota on central nervous system and neurological diseases: The gut-brain axis. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 18(1), 82. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-021-02145-1

  8. Mikkelsen, K., Stojanovska, L., Tangalakis, K., Bosevski, M., & Apostolopoulos, V. (2016). The effects of vitamin B on the immune/cytokine network and their involvement in depression. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 60(1), 229–240. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201500322

  9. Sarris, J., Logan, A. C., Akbaraly, T. N., Amminger, G. P., Balanzá‐Martínez, V., Freeman, M. P., ... & Jacka, F. N. (2015). Nutritional medicine as mainstream in psychiatry. The Lancet Psychiatry, 2(3), 271–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(14)00051-0

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