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Antidepressant foods: An evidence-based nutrient profiling system for depression
In this systematic literature review, LaChance & Ramsey (2018) aimed to explore foods that were demonstrated to contain the highest density of effective nutrient elements used to treat and prevent depression. The authors firstly extrapolated a list of antidepressant nutrients from 34 nutrients essential for wellbeing, and subsequently acquired data on particular foods that contained a significant concentration of one antidepressant nutrient at a minimum. These foods were finally investigated using the Antidepressant Food Score (AFS, a nutrient profiling scale designed to recognize which foods contain the highest density of nutrients and the supporting evidence in literature backing their utility in depression) for density of antidepressant nutrient content, with analysis on plant and animal foods conducted separately. The authors identified 12 antidepressant nutrients derived from food that can help prevent and/or treat depression, namely: Folate, iron, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), magnesium, potassium, selenium, thiamine, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and zinc. Foods boasting the highest density of these nutrients included bivalve molluscs (oysters, mussels), seafood, organ meat, leafy vegetables (such as lettuce), peppers, and cruciferous plants (like cauliflower, bok choy, collard greens, and brussels sprouts). The authors conclude that their list of food groups with the highest twelve antidepressant nutrients – i.e. the Antidepressant Foods – should be an objective of focus during the design and implementation steps of future studies by researchers, and are useful as an adjunct intervention for the treatment and prevention of depression. [NPID: Depressive disorder, mental disorders, diet, diet therapy, food]
Year: 2018
