Adequate nutrition is needed for countless aspects of brain functioning. Poor diet
quality, ubiquitous in the United States, may be a modifiable risk factor for depression.
The objective was to review and synthesize the current knowledge of the role of nutrition
in depression, and address implications for childbearing-aged women. Poor omega-3
fatty acid status increases the risk of depression. Fish oil and folic acid supplements
each have been used to treat depression successfully. Folate deficiency reduces the
response to antidepressants. Deficiencies of folate, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and
selenium tend to be more common among depressed than nondepressed persons. Dietary
antioxidants have not been studied rigorously in relation to depression. Childbearing-aged
women are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of poor nutrition on mood
because pregnancy and lactation are major nutritional stressors to the body. The depletion
of nutrient reserves throughout pregnancy and a lack of recovery postpartum may increase
a woman’s risk of depression. Prospective research studies are needed to clarify the
role of nutrition in the pathophysiology of depression among childbearing-aged women.
Greater attention to nutritional factors in mental health is warranted given that
nutrition interventions can be inexpensive, safe, easy to administer, and generally
acceptable to patients.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 27, 2005
Accepted:
May 4,
2005
Received in revised form:
April 28,
2005
Received:
March 17,
2005
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
