A Mediterranean-style dietary intervention supplemented with fish oil improves diet quality and mental health in people with depression: A randomized controlled trial (HELFIMED).

Natalie Parletta, Dorota Zarnowiecki, Jihyun Cho, Amy Wilson, Svetlana Bogomolova, Anthony Villani, Catherine Itsiopoulos, Theo Niyonsenga, Sarah Blunden, Barbara Meyer, Leonie Segal, Bernhard T Baune, Kerin O'Dea

Journal: Nutritional neuroscience 2019;22(7):474-487

PMID: 29215971

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Plain Language Summary

Observational studies have shown that a healthy diet is associated with a reduced risk for depression. This study investigated whether a Mediterranean-style diet supplemented with fish oil can improve mental health in adults suffering depression. Adults with self-reported depression were randomised to receive fortnightly food hampers and Mediterranean diet cooking workshops for 3 months and fish oil supplements for 6 months, or attend social groups fortnightly for 3 months. Assessments at baseline, 3 and 6 months included mental health, quality of life and dietary questionnaires, and blood samples for fatty acid analysis. Both groups experienced in improvements in their mental health. The Mediterranean diet group had greater reduction in depression and improved mental health quality of life scores at 3 months and 6 months. Reduced depression was correlated with an increased Mediterranean diet score, nuts and vegetable diversity. Other mental health improvements were associated with increased vegetable diversity and legumes. There were some correlations between increased omega-3, decreased omega-6 and improved mental health. The authors suggest that getting back to basics by promoting cooking skills and family/group meals could be a simple yet powerful and empowering approach to healthcare and prevention.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

We investigated whether a Mediterranean-style diet (MedDiet) supplemented with fish oil can improve mental health in adults suffering depression.

METHODS

Adults with self-reported depression were randomized to receive fortnightly food hampers and MedDiet cooking workshops for 3 months and fish oil supplements for 6 months, or attend social groups fortnightly for 3 months. Assessments at baseline, 3 and 6 months included mental health, quality of life (QoL) and dietary questionnaires, and blood samples for erythrocyte fatty acid analysis.

RESULTS

n = 152 eligible adults aged 18-65 were recruited (n = 95 completed 3-month and n = 85 completed 6-month assessments). At 3 months, the MedDiet group had a higher MedDiet score (t = 3.95, P < 0.01), consumed more vegetables (t = 3.95, P < 0.01), fruit (t = 2.10, P = 0.04), nuts (t = 2.29, P = 0.02), legumes (t = 2.41, P = 0.02) wholegrains (t = 2.63, P = 0.01), and vegetable diversity (t = 3.27, P < 0.01); less unhealthy snacks (t = -2.10, P = 0.04) and red meat/chicken (t = -2.13, P = 0.04). The MedDiet group had greater reduction in depression (t = -2.24, P = 0.03) and improved mental health QoL scores (t = 2.10, P = 0.04) at 3 months. Improved diet and mental health were sustained at 6 months. Reduced depression was correlated with an increased MedDiet score (r = -0.298, P = 0.01), nuts (r = -0.264, P = 0.01), and vegetable diversity (r = -0.303, P = 0.01). Other mental health improvements had similar correlations, most notably for increased vegetable diversity and legumes. There were some correlations between increased omega-3, decreased omega-6 and improved mental health.

DISCUSSION

This is one of the first randomized controlled trials to show that healthy dietary changes are achievable and, supplemented with fish oil, can improve mental health in people with depression.

Address: a Centre for Population Health Research , University of South Australia , GPO Box 2471, Adelaide , South Australia 5001 , Australia.; b Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science , University of South Australia , GPO Box 2471, Adelaide , South Australia 5001 , Australia.; c Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering , University of the Sunshine Coast , 90 Sippy Downs, Sippy Downs , Queensland 4556 , Australia.; d Discipline of Dietetics and Human Nutrition , La Trobe University , Melbourne , Victoria 3086 , Australia.; a Centre for Population Health Research , University of South Australia , GPO Box 2471, Adelaide , South Australia 5001 , Australia.; e Centre for Research and Action in Public Health, Faculty of Health , University of Canberra , Canberra , Australian Capital Territory , Australia.; f School of Human Health and Social Sciences , Central Queensland University , 44 Greenhill Road, Wayville , South Australia 5034 , Australia.; g School of Medicine , University of Wollongong , Northfields Avenue, Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia.; h Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine , Royal Adelaide Hospital, University of Adelaide , Level 4, Eleanor Harrald Building, Adelaide 5005 , Australia.

DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2017.1411320

Clinical Imbalances

Neurological Immune and inflammation

Laboratory Testing

Blood

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors

Diet Relationships and network

Nutrition Evidence Keywords

Essential fatty acids Nuts Vegetables Legumes

Bioactive Substances

Essential fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-3

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https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/1028415X.2...

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MeSH Terms: Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Depression, Diet, Mediterranean, Dietary Supplements, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Fatty Acids, Omega-6, Female, Fish Oils, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult