Journal article
A Mediterranean-style dietary intervention supplemented with fish oil improves diet quality and mental health in people with depression: A randomized controlled trial (HELFIMED)
Nutritional Neuroscience, Vol.22(7), pp.474-487
2019
Abstract
Objectives: We investigated whether a Mediterranean-style diet (MedDiet) supplemented with fish oil can improve mental health in adults suffering depression. Methods: Adults with self-reported depression were randomized to receive fortnightly food hampers and MedDiet cooking workshops for 3 months and fish oil supplements for 6 months, or attend social groups fortnightly for 3 months. Assessments at baseline, 3 and 6 months included mental health, quality of life (QoL) and dietary questionnaires, and blood samples for erythrocyte fatty acid analysis. Results: n= 152 eligible adults aged 18-65 were recruited (n= 95 completed 3-month and n= 85 completed 6-month assessments). At 3 months, the MedDiet group had a higher MedDiet score (t = 3.95, P < 0.01), consumed more vegetables (t = 3.95, P < 0.01), fruit (t = 2.10, P = 0.04), nuts (t = 2.29, P = 0.02), legumes (t = 2.41, P = 0.02) wholegrains (t = 2.63, P = 0.01), and vegetable diversity (t = 3.27, P < 0.01); less unhealthy snacks (t = -2.10, P = 0.04) and red meat/chicken (t = -2.13, P = 0.04). The MedDiet group had greater reduction in depression (t = -2.24, P = 0.03) and improved mental health QoL scores (t = 2.10, P = 0.04) at 3 months. Improved diet and mental health were sustained at 6 months. Reduced depression was correlated with an increased MedDiet score (r = -0.298, P = 0.01), nuts (r = -0.264, P = 0.01), and vegetable diversity (r = -0.303, P = 0.01). Other mental health improvements had similar correlations, most notably for increased vegetable diversity and legumes. There were some correlations between increased omega-3, decreased omega-6 and improved mental health. Discussion: This is one of the first randomized controlled trials to show that healthy dietary changes are achievable and, supplemented with fish oil, can improve mental health in people with depression.
Details
- Title
- A Mediterranean-style dietary intervention supplemented with fish oil improves diet quality and mental health in people with depression: A randomized controlled trial (HELFIMED)
- Authors
- Natalie Parletta (Author) - University of South AustraliaDorota Zarnowiecki (Author) - University of South AustraliaJihyun Cho (Author) - University of South AustraliaAmy Wilson (Author) - University of South AustraliaSvetlana Bogomolova (Author) - University of South AustraliaAnthony Villani (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringCatherine Itsiopoulos (Author) - La Trobe UniversityTheo Niyonsenga (Author) - University of South AustraliaSarah Blunden (Author) - Central Queensland UniversityBarbara Meyer (Author) - University of WollongongLeonie Segal (Author) - University of South AustraliaBernhard T Baune (Author) - University of AdelaideKerin O'Dea (Author) - University of South Australia
- Publication details
- Nutritional Neuroscience, Vol.22(7), pp.474-487
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Ltd.
- Date published
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1080/1028415X.2017.1411320
- ISSN
- 1476-8305; 1476-8305
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451263402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
- Research Statement
- false
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