The relationship between nutrition and depression in the life process: A mini-review

• Published in: Experimental gerontology Vol. 172; p. 112072
• Main Authors: Ekinci, Gülseren Nur, Sanlier, Nevin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01.02.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Diet; Diet quality; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - therapeutic use; Folic Acid - therapeutic use; Humans; Magnesium; Minerals; Nutrients; Prebiotic; Probiotic; Selenium; Vitamin B 12; Vitamins; Vitamins - therapeutic use; Zinc; Probiotic; Depression; Nutrients; Minerals; Diet quality; Prebiotic; Vitamins
• ISSN: 0531-5565; 1873-6815; 1873-6815
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2022.112072

Depression is one of the leading health problems, and >300 million people have a major depressive disorder and this number is getting increasing. Depression complicates the management of existing chronic diseases and the management of complications that may arise. A person's mental state can affect their food preferences, and food preferences can also affect their mental state. In this paper, depression and eating behavior, diet quality, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, selenium, zinc and copper, prebiotics and probiotics are discussed. Research on the subject emphasizes that diet quality may also affect the occurrence of depression. However, studies also indicated that dietary nutrients such as folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, selenium, and magnesium might be associated with the risk of depression. •There was a significant association between depression and unhealthy behaviours.•Growing evidence supports the potential use of dietary interventions as an adjunctive treatment for mental disorders.•A poor diet contributes to the genesis and course of depression.•Dietary patterns characterised by a higher intake of unhealthy foods were associated with an increased likelihood of higher psychological symptoms and clinical depression.