Nutritional Psychiatry and Mental Health Outcomes
Summary
Nutritional psychiatry examines how dietary patterns, macro- and micronutrients and gut microbial metabolites influence brain function, mood and the risk or severity of psychiatric disorders. Core pathways include modulation of neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter synthesis, oxidative stress and neural plasticity. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and oily fish foster anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions, support a diverse gut microbiome and enhance production of neuroprotective metabolites. Conversely, diets high in ultra-processed foods, saturated fats and added sugars are associated with increased systemic inflammation, altered microglial activity and impaired cognitive and emotional regulation. Epidemiological and intervention studies suggest that Mediterranean-style and whole-food dietary approaches may reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, whereas high-fat Western patterns correlate with poorer memory and heightened stress responses. Advances in biomarker research now allow identification of nutrient profiles that track with healthy brain ageing, opening prospects for personalised dietary recommendations. Given the global rise in mental health burdens, accessible, food-based strategies promise a low-risk adjunct or preventive avenue alongside established pharmacological and psychological therapies.
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Nutritional Psychiatry and Mental Health Outcomes publication trend
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Technical terms
Gut–brain axis: Bidirectional network of neural, hormonal and immune pathways linking the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system.
Neuroinflammation: Inflammatory processes within the brain and spinal cord, often involving microglial activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Polyphenols: Plant-derived secondary metabolites with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that influence neuronal signalling.
Microglia: Resident immune cells of the central nervous system that mediate synaptic pruning, inflammatory responses and tissue repair.
References
- Prebiotics mitigate the detrimental effects of High-Fat diet on Memory, anxiety and microglia functionality in ageing mice. Brain Behavior and Immunity (2024).
- Investigating nutrient biomarkers of healthy brain aging: a multimodal brain imaging study. npj Aging (2024).
- Mediterranean dietary pattern and depression: the PREDIMED randomized trial. BMC Medicine (2013).
- Western diet is associated with a smaller hippocampus: a longitudinal investigation. BMC Medicine (2015).
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