Two analyzes that include studies from the specialized literature carried out by researchers from the College of Public Health of the American University George Mason improve the knowledge on the link between nutrition and mental health.
People with diabetes (Mellitus) are two to three times more likely to suffer from depression than those who do not suffer from this disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US.
Current treatment includes therapy, medication, or both. However, understanding the relationship between nutrition, mental health and diabetes is relatively new in the scientific discourse.
Mason researchers sought to learn about the connection between nutrition, diabetes and mental health.
Two recent reviews show that poor nutrition plays a dual role, contributing to both the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and the impact on mental health, including anxiety and depression.
According to the results, mental disorders such as depression and anxiety increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and diabetes is also linked to an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety.
Nutritional interventions can help with both health problems, experts say.
“Our findings highlight the essential role of dietary choices in reducing the risks associated with both diabetes and mental health,” said Professor Raedeh Basiri, lead author of the papers.
The implications of these findings extend beyond the scientific community, and hold promise for informing public health policies, health care practices and dietary recommendations that can have a positive impact on the general population, he noted.
The analyzes aim to empower individuals to make informed and health-promoting dietary choices that can serve as a proactive strategy for the prevention and management of diabetes, as well as anxiety and depression.
The team’s findings provide a comprehensive view of the relationship between dietary patterns, health outcomes, and the critical role of dietary behavior in the context of type 2 diabetes and mental health.
The team found that a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy products was associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Conversely, a diet with a large number of processed foods has been found to have a negative effect, increasing the predisposition to type 2 diabetes, depression and anxiety.
In addition, the research team found that a diet with energy-dense foods but lacking in essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, selenium, chromium and magnesium, is associated with the exacerbation of unfavorable symptoms both in terms of mental health and in terms of the development of type 2 diabetes.
This connection underscores the importance of nutrient-dense food choices for overall health and well-being.
“Current scientific evidence points to the potential benefits of adopting a well-balanced diet in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression while improving glycemic control in people with diabetes,” said Basiri.
First analysiswith the title “Exploring the interrelationships between diabetes, nutrition, anxiety and depression: Implications for treatment and prevention strategies”, as well as the second onetitled “Key nutrients for optimal glycemic control and mental health in people with diabetes: A review of the evidence,” were recently published in the journal Nutrients.
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2023-11-26 20:36:53
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