Improving mental wellbeing through a healthy diet,HOW?

Understanding the underlying cause of mental illness is still a long way off. We know that genes play an important role, as these conditions often occur in families, but that is part of the story. Whether, and when, a person develops a mental health condition is determined by a combination of factors, including a person's environment and lifestyle. The natural mechanisms that cause mental disorders have the potential to affect the functioning of the human brain, thus increasing the risk of complications. This, for example, could be due to stress factors in early life, environmental pollution, low socioeconomic status, or malnutrition. Many of these environmental pressures are difficult to correct, especially for one person. However, diet and exercise can be easily modified and adapted based on personal needs and circumstances, at any time in a person's life. Therefore, they provide a complete target of intervention strategies to improve mental health. The Horizone 2020-funded project “Effects on Healthy Eating and Lifestyle in Compulsory, Compulsory, and External Behavior - Eat2beNICE” (No 728018), aims to discover biological mechanisms linking food to mental health, making nutritional recommendations and a healthy lifestyle. To produce a better understanding of how food and mental health are linked, the Eat 2be NICE consortium brings together experts from a variety of fields, working in 18 different partner centers across Europe. Gut-brain communication The link between food and mental health comes from the intimate relationship between the brain and the intestines. The intestinal tract is home to billions of bacteria (gut microbio) that affect the production of precursors of neurotransmitters; chemicals constantly carry messages from the gut to the brain. Eating a healthy diet promotes the growth of "good" bacteria, which, in turn, positively affect neurotransmitter production. Solid food intake, on the other hand, can cause inflammation that interferes with this production. Thus, gastrointestinal disorders can lead to changes in brain function, which affect our mood and perception. In our study, we found that people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) had a modified gut microbiota profile compared to controls. (1) This suggests that the gut microbio has a role to play in ADHD.Forget hamburgers, eat broccoli So, what food is good for our brain? The first way to build an answer to this question is by using epidemiological studies on many human databases. Through these studies, we can investigate the relationship between diet and mental health, taking into account many other environmental factors, such as socioeconomic status and level of education. Researchers from Eat 2be NICE have found that adults with ADHD symptoms eat more sugar and saturated fat, as well as less fruits and vegetables than people without ADHD symptoms. (2) In addition, the consumption of sugary drinks during pregnancy has been linked to ADHD in children. (3) These human-based studies do not explain the causal link between diet and mental health. However, in animal studies, we know that malnutrition affects genes that regulate inflammation and metabolism, which have been linked to a higher incidence of depression and anxiety. (4) In contrast, adherence to a healthy diet may reduce inflammation, depression, and anxiety. (5,6) Healthy foods such as Mediterranean foods are rich in fresh vegetables and fruits, olive oil, whole grains, nuts and vegetables, seafood, and unsaturated fats. Diet to improve mental health What we do not yet know is whether dietary supplements or supplements can be successfully incorporated into treatment programs. Therefore, Eat2beNICE conducted four major intervention studies to investigate the effects of modifying or supplementing food on mental health. The PREDIMED-PLUS trial investigates the impact of the Mediterranean Diet and cognitive training on the elderly. Preliminary findings indicate that after one year, both BMI and immobility were reduced in the intervention group. (7) In a TRACE study, we examined whether dietary restrictions or healthy eating could reduce the symptoms of ADHD in children. (8) Third, we evaluate the probiotic effects - known as beneficial gut microbiota - on mental health in obese adults with ADHD and / or Borderline Personality Disorder. (9) Fourthly, VANTASTIC research measures the effectiveness of a comprehensive vitamin and mineral supplement for children and adolescents with ADHD. (10) These clinical trials will be important in determining whether it is possible to change the diet to improve mental health, in addition to understanding the biological mechanisms underlying these effects. Cooking your brain The research conducted by Eat2beNICE has a significant impact on society. Mental health problems affect us all, and a healthy lifestyle has many benefits for the individual and for society as a whole. Changing your diet, however, is not as easy as you might think, especially for people with mental health problems.