Clinical Nutrition Research  2016;5(3):143-152

doi:10.7762/cnr.2016.5.3.143

Nutritional Factors Affecting Mental Health.

So Young LIM 1 ; Eun Jin KIM ; Arang KIM ; Hee Jae LEE ; Hyun Jin CHOI ; Soo Jin YANG

Affiliations

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Keywords

Cognitive function; Dementia; Depression; Healthy brain aging; Mental health

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Dietary intake and nutritional status of individuals are important factors affecting mental health and the development of psychiatric disorders. Majority of scientific evidence relating to mental health focuses on depression, cognitive function, and dementia, and limited evidence is available about other psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. As life span of human being is increasing, the more the prevalence of mental disorders is, the more attention rises. Lists of suggested nutritional components that may be beneficial for mental health are omega-3 fatty acids, phospholipids, cholesterol, niacin, folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Saturated fat and simple sugar are considered detrimental to cognitive function. Evidence on the effect of cholesterol is conflicting; however, in general, blood cholesterol levels are negatively associated with the risk of depression. Collectively, the aims of this review are to introduce known nutritional factors for mental health, and to discuss recent issues of the nutritional impact on cognitive function and healthy brain aging.