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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Nutritional Considerations in Major Depressive Disorder: Current Evidence and Functional Testing for Clinical Practice
Nutrition research reviews, Vol.38(1), pp.25-36
06/2025
PMID: 37964733
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Depression is a multifaceted condition with diverse underlying causes. Several contributing and inter-related factors such as genetic, nutritional, neurological, physiological, gut-brain-axis, metabolic and psychological stress factors play a role in the pathophysiology of depression. This review aims to highlight the role that nutritional factors play in the aetiology of depression. Secondly, we discuss the biomedical and functional pathology tests which measure these factors, and the current evidence supporting their use. Lastly, we make recommendations on how practitioners can incorporate the latest evidence-based research findings into clinical practice. This review highlights that diet and nutrition greatly affect the pathophysiology of depression. Nutrients influence gene expression, with folate and vitamin B12 playing vital roles in methylation reactions and homocysteine regulation. Nutrients are also involved in the tryptophan/kynurenine pathway and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Additionally, diet influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) response and the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome, both of which have been implicated in depression. A comprehensive dietary assessment, combined with appropriate evaluation of biochemistry and blood pathology, may help uncover contributing factors to depressive symptoms. By employing such an approach, a more targeted and personalised treatment strategy can be devised, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.
Details
- Title
- Nutritional Considerations in Major Depressive Disorder: Current Evidence and Functional Testing for Clinical Practice
- Creators
- Kathryn Khiroya - Endeavour College of Natural HealthEric Sekyere - Endeavour College of Natural HealthBradley McEwan - Southern Cross UniversityJessica Bayes - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Nutrition research reviews, Vol.38(1), pp.25-36
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Number of pages
- 12
- Identifiers
- 991013149997602368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2023.
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article