Nutrition Provides the Essential Foundation for Optimizing Mental Health (2021)

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Type of Content
Journal ArticlePublisher
Informa UK LimitedISSN
2379-49252379-4933
Language
enCollections
- Science: Journal Articles [1102]
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.
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.This citation is automatically generated and may be unreliable. Use as a guide only.
Keywords
vitamins; minerals; nutrition; nutrients; treatment; mental healthANZSRC Fields of Research
32 - Biomedical and clinical sciences::3210 - Nutrition and dietetics::321001 - Clinical nutrition32 - Biomedical and clinical sciences::3202 - Clinical sciences::320221 - Psychiatry (incl. psychotherapy)
32 - Biomedical and clinical sciences::3210 - Nutrition and dietetics::321004 - Nutritional science
42 - Health sciences::4206 - Public health::420605 - Preventative health care
32 - Biomedical and clinical sciences::3213 - Paediatrics::321302 - Infant and child health
32 - Biomedical and clinical sciences::3213 - Paediatrics::321301 - Adolescent health
42 - Health sciences::4202 - Epidemiology::420208 - Nutritional epidemiology
42 - Health sciences::4203 - Health services and systems::420313 - Mental health services
Rights
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