foods that help with depression

Strategies for a successful spring semester

By R. Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA OSU-CCS Psychiatrist

A new semester brings a new set of opportunities and challenges.  The spring semester also aligns with the winter weather, has fewer breaks, and stresses of graduations/internships, plans for the summer etc.

With this in mind, it is important for students to be proactive and prioritize strategies that can help them succeed.

Some health related activities should students INCREASE to improve chances of success include the following:

  1. Get enough sleep. Poor sleep impacts academics and mental health.  For resources to improve sleep, go here: https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2017/12/31/poor-sleep-and-poor-grades-might-go-together/
  1. Eat fruits and vegetables. This improves mental/emotional well-being:

https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2015/03/25/fruits-and-vegetables-might-increase-your-odds-of-mental-well-being/

Food strategies to improve/prevent depression, go here:

https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2018/06/28/food-choices-to-improve-depression/

  1. Get active. Regular exercise can help with mental and physical health.  Go to the RPAC, consider a rec league. Some students find it helpful to take an exercise or sports class  for course credit.
  2. Improve stress management: https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2017/09/01/dealing-with-too-much-stress/
  3. Have a plan. What if you are over scheduled? Are there classes or obligations you could adjust?  Try to plan breaks ahead of time both daily and if possible, weekend  mini-breaks/vacations ahead of time.  This will give you something positive to look forward to.
  4. Get social.  Spending time with others regularly can help with stress and mental health.  Consider  student organizations, regularly scheduled phone/video calls with your supports such as friends, family etc.
  5. Spend time on hobbies. Leisure activities help with stress and mental health.

Consider decreasing or eliminating the following activities:

  1. Too much caffeine worsens stress level and brain function:

https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2017/04/19/study-caffeine-stress-and-brain-function/

  1. Excessive digital media usage can worsen inattention symptoms:

https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2018/08/30/digital-media-and-inattention-symptoms/

  1. Reduce/avoid alcohol intake because it can impact your academic performance:

https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2018/02/26/alcohol-and-grades/

https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2017/06/21/study-alcohol-might-cause-brain-changes/

  1. Cannabis can negatively impact your brain:

https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2014/11/17/marijuana-4-hidden-costs-to-consider/

  1. Nicotine use can increase depression and anxiety:

https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2015/04/15/does-smoking-increase-anxiety-and-depression-if-i-quit-will-i-feel-better/

Additional resources if your functioning is limited by your mental health, or if you need additional help:

Check out our multiple options for mental health support page for additional resources.

Disclaimer: This article is intended to be informative only. It is advised that you check with your own physician/mental health provider before implementing any changes. With this article, the author is not rendering medical advice, nor diagnosing, prescribing, or treating any condition, or injury; and therefore claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or injury caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented.

Food choices to improve depression

By R. Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA OSU-CCS Psychiatrist

A 2017 systematic review of 21 studies  across 10 countries looking at food pattern and depression found that there was an association between food pattern and depression (1).

What food patterns were found to have an DECREASED risk of depression? 

  • The study authors (1) found that high intakes of fruit, vegetables, fish, olive oil, low-fat dairy, antioxidants, and whole grain was associated with a decreased risk of depression (1)
  • Another review found that seafood, vegetables, fruit and nuts based food patterns was associated with a reduced risk of depression. (2)
  • A study of 15,980 adults over 10.8 years found that higher consumption of fruits and nuts, while lower consumption of fast food led to a reduced depression risk (3).

What food patterns were found to have an INCREASED risk of depression? (1)

  • The study authors (1) found that high consumption of red and/or processed meat, refined grains, (added sugars)/sweets, high-fat dairy products, butter, potatoes and high-fat gravy was associated with an increased risk of depression (1).

Are there clinical studies where food pattern was used to TREAT depression? 

Yes. The HELFIMED (4) and SMILES trials (5) used food as a treatment of depressive disorders.

How effective was this?

In both of these trials (4,5), the improvement was almost 50%, which is comparable to some therapies and some antidepressant medications; and benefits lasted for several months afterwards.

What are some caveats?

  • These studies show that nutrition can be helpful to improve depression, but further study is needed.
  • Nutritious food choices DO NOT have to be expensive food choices, and in many cases whole foods can be more affordable than processed foods.
  • For some people, good nutrition is not enough replace counseling or medications, but can be a useful addition.
  • Different people can be healthiest on different styles of eating, depending on a variety of factors.
  • Even with good food choices, it is important to get enough calories; and not engage in restriction or disordered eating behaviors.
    • TDEE calculators and this chart may be helpful in estimating daily calorie needs.
  • Individuals with eating disorders should seek professional assistance via nutritionist, eating disorder specialist, etc. when considering nutritional adjustments.
  • The Food Pantry at OSU is another useful resource.

Any other resources to improve nutrition?

How is your nutrition? What is the quality of your food choices? Are you eating enough or too much food? Are you eating foods that worsen or improve depression?

Disclaimer: This article is intended to be informative only. It is advised that you check with your own physician/mental health provider before implementing any changes. With this article, the author is not rendering medical advice, nor diagnosing, prescribing, or treating any condition, or injury; and therefore claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or injury caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented.

References:

  1. Li, Ye & Lv, Mei-Rong & Wei, Yan-Jin & Sun, Ling & Zhang, Ji-Xiang & Zhang, Huai-Guo & Li, Bin. (2017). Dietary patterns and depression risk: A meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research. 253. 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.04.020.
  2.  Martínez-González MA1, Sánchez-Villegas A2. Food patterns and the prevention of depression. Proc Nutr Soc. 2016 May;75(2):139-46. doi: 10.1017/S0029665116000045. Epub 2016 Feb 22.
  3. Fresán, U., Bes-Rastrollo, M., Segovia-Siapco, G. et al. Does the MIND diet decrease depression risk? A comparison with Mediterranean diet in the SUN cohort. Eur J Nutr (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-018-1653-x
  4. Natalie Parletta, Dorota Zarnowiecki, Jihyun Cho, Amy Wilson, Svetlana Bogomolova, Anthony Villani, Catherine Itsiopoulos, Theo Niyonsenga, Sarah Blunden, Barbara Meyer, Leonie Segal, Bernhard T. Baune & Kerin O’Dea (2017) 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,  DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2017.1411320 
  5. Jacka FN, O’Neil A, Opie R, et al. A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the “SMILES” trial). BMC Medicine. 2017;15:23. doi:10.1186/s12916-017-0791-y.