Ask Dr. Nick
On today’s episode, Dr. Nick talks about the relationship between diet and mental health. The Standard American Diet (SAD) contains about 60% processed foods (carbs, sugar, and oils), which can all be inflammatory. Because mental health disorders like depression and anxiety have a large neuro-inflammatory component, this diet can perpetuate symptoms. At the same time, there are many vitamins, minerals, and nutrients found predominantly in meat that are essential to maintaining a healthy brain. These nutrients include vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron, creatine, carnitine, and choline. For this reason, much evidence shows that vegetarian and vegan diets predispose people to anxiety and depressive disorders. It may be best to not abstain from any food group to ensure optimal mental health. Check out the video for more in depth information on the effects of diet on mental health!
- Dobersek U, Wy G, Adkins J, et al. Meat and mental health: a systematic review of meat abstention and depression, anxiety, and related phenomena. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2021;61(4):622-635.
- Michalak J, Zhang XC, Jacobi F. Vegetarian diet and mental disorders: results from a representative community survey. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2012;9:67.
- Matta J, Czernichow S, Kesse-Guyot E, et al. Depressive Symptoms and Vegetarian Diets: Results from the Constances Cohort. Nutrients. 2018;10(11):1695.
