Nutrition Provides the Essential Foundation for Optimizing Mental Health

Type of content
Journal Article
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
en
Date
2021
Authors
Johnstone JM
Kaplan BJ
Rucklidge, Julia
Abstract

Although current evidence confirms the importance of diet for mental health, many psychologists avoid discussing dietary intake with clients, questioning whether this information is within their scope of practice. This article provides psychologists with a review focused on the connection between what we eat and how we feel. Eating a healthy, whole-foods-based diet is an important tool to promote mental health recovery and maintenance. We begin by reviewing several mechanisms by which nutrients maximize brain health, including enabling metabolic reactions to occur, supporting mitochondrial function, reducing inflammation and assisting with detoxification. Understanding the vital role of nutrients for brain health will aid clients in understanding the importance of optimizing their intake of a range of nutrients in order to maximize their mental health: no single nutrient is sufficient. Next, we summarize evidence relating diet to mental health, followed by a consideration of circumstances that may contribute to a client requiring additional nutrients, such as chronic stress, medication use, individual biochemistry, and consuming nutrientdepleted food. The evidence base for treating psychological problems in children with supplementary nutrients is then reviewed, and a case study of a child whose self-regulatory skills improved with broad-spectrum multinutrients is used to illustrate this treatment. The breadth and consistency of the research highlights the importance of children receiving a good foundation of nutrients for optimizing brain health. Finally, we offer practical suggestions for psychologists to incorporate this information into their clinical practice and discuss these suggestions within the context of informed consent.

Description
Citation
Rucklidge JJ, Johnstone JM, Kaplan BJ (2021). Nutrition Provides the Essential Foundation for Optimizing Mental Health. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 6(1). 131-154.
Keywords
vitamins, minerals, nutrition, nutrients, treatment, mental health
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Fields of Research::32 - Biomedical and clinical sciences::3210 - Nutrition and dietetics::321001 - Clinical nutrition
Fields of Research::32 - Biomedical and clinical sciences::3202 - Clinical sciences::320221 - Psychiatry (incl. psychotherapy)
Fields of Research::32 - Biomedical and clinical sciences::3210 - Nutrition and dietetics::321004 - Nutritional science
Fields of Research::42 - Health sciences::4206 - Public health::420605 - Preventative health care
Fields of Research::32 - Biomedical and clinical sciences::3213 - Paediatrics::321302 - Infant and child health
Fields of Research::32 - Biomedical and clinical sciences::3213 - Paediatrics::321301 - Adolescent health
Fields of Research::42 - Health sciences::4202 - Epidemiology::420208 - Nutritional epidemiology
Fields of Research::42 - Health sciences::4203 - Health services and systems::420313 - Mental health services
Rights
All rights reserved unless otherwise stated