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A Mediterranean-style dietary intervention supplemented with fish oil improves diet quality and mental health in people with depression: A randomized controlled trial (HELFIMED)
MedDiet supplemented with fish oil could improve mental health
This study examined whether a Mediterranean-style diet (MedDiet) supplemented with fish oil could improve mental health in adults with depression. Participants (ages 18–65) with self-reported depression were randomized into two groups: one received fortnightly food hampers, attended MedDiet cooking workshops for three months, and took fish oil supplements for six months; the other participated in social groups biweekly for three months. Assessments at baseline, three months, and six months measured mental health, quality of life (QoL), dietary intake, and erythrocyte fatty acid levels. A total of 152 participants were enrolled, with 95 completing the three-month and 85 completing the six-month assessments. At three months, the MedDiet group had significantly higher MedDiet scores (P < 0.01) and increased consumption of vegetables, fruit, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and vegetable diversity (P < 0.05). They also consumed fewer unhealthy snacks and less red meat/poultry (P = 0.04). Mental health improved significantly, with reductions in depression scores (P= 0.03) and improved QoL (P = 0.04), and these benefits were sustained at six months. Depression reduction correlated with higher MedDiet scores (P = 0.01), greater intake of nuts (P = 0.01), and increased vegetable diversity (P = 0.01). Mental health improvements were strongly linked to higher vegetable and legume consumption. Additionally, positive correlations were found between increased omega-3 intake, reduced omega-6 levels, and improved mental health. This study is among the first randomized controlled trials to demonstrate that dietary changes, combined with fish oil supplementation, are both achievable and beneficial for improving mental health in individuals with depression.
Year: 2019
