ESPEN 2013 - Late breaking abstract submission
Late Breaking Abstract
ESPEN13-1852
NUTRITIONAL MODULATION OF COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND MENTAL HEALTH
N. Parletta 1,*C. M. Milte 2B. J. Meyer 3
1School of Population Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, 2School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, 3Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
Rationale: Dietary risk factors for cardiometabolic health are generally well recognised; for mental health they are not so well understood. However lifestyle risk factors for poor physical health are the same risk factors for mental illness, including poor diet. This is reflected by the high level of poor physical health in people with mental illness. Mediterranean, whole food diets have been associated with reduced risk for chronic disease but very little research has investigated their mental health benefits.
Methods: We provide a model for the pathways by which food components provided by a Mediterranean-style diet can facilitate healthy brain function. We then review evidence for the role of selected nutrients/food components - antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins - in the brain and hence modulation of cognitive function and mental health.
Results: Converging evidence indicates multiple pathways by which these nutrients can assist in brain function, drawing from studies investigating them in isolation. There is very little work done on synergistic actions of nutrients and whole diets.
Conclusion: There is a critical need for human intervention studies investigating benefits of nutritious, whole food diets for mental, as well as cardiometabolic health.
References: Parletta N, Milte CM, Meyer B (2013). Nutritional modulation of cognitive function and mental health. Invited review, Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 24(5):725-743.
Disclosure of Interest: None Declared
Keywords: Mental HealthNutrition