Targeting Divergent Pathways in the Nutritional Management of Depression.
- 2024-08-22
- Nutrients 16(16)
- Derek Tobin
- Alexander Vuckovic
- Jerome Sarris
- PubMed: 39203943
- DOI: 10.3390/nu16162806
Study Design
- Type
- Review
- Rigorous Journal
The nutritional management of depression has long been discussed, due to the perceived benefit of a nutritional product having less side effects than pharmaceutical agents. Candidate nutrients for managing depression include vitamin D, B vitamins, tryptophan, branch chain amino acids, probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, folate/methylfolate (also known as vitamin B9), and s-adenosylmethionine. This paper provides a narrative review of three nutrients which have significant scientific support for the management of depression. A deficiency in each nutrient is associated with depression, and interventional studies indicate that the correction of the nutritional deficiency may provide clinical benefit. We present epidemiological evidence, a mechanistic explanation and a review of interventional studies for these nutrients. Finally, relevant nutritional guidelines are presented with their conclusion for the role of each nutrient in the management of depression.
Research Insights
We present epidemiological evidence, a mechanistic explanation and a review of interventional studies for these nutrients. Finally, relevant nutritional guidelines are presented with their conclusion for the role of each nutrient in the management of depression.
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small