Nutrition Review: Relationships of Nutrition With Depression and Anxiety

Although research on relationships of nutrition with depression and anxiety is very limited, both biological plausibility and existing empirical evidence lend strong support to causal links, especially between diet and depression. Clinical deficiencies of several vitamins and minerals result in depression. Nutrients that have received particular attention with relation to depression include omega-3 fatty acids, folate, cobalamin, and zinc. Antioxidant nutrients are other potentially beneficial dietary factors that should be investigated. Body weight issues may be related to depression and anxiety in very complex ways. Dietary strategies to prevent and treat depression are inexpensive and low risk and therefore warrant consideration in future research and clinical applications. © 2007, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved