Nutrition, mood and behaviour: a review

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Psychiatry
• Behavioral Science
• Dietary Interventions

Background:

• Mood and behavior are influenced by various nutritional factors.
• Essential fatty acids, macronutrients, micronutrients, and food additives are key areas of investigation.
• Empirical research provides insights into these complex relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review recent empirical research on nutrition and its impact on mood and behavior.
• To examine the evidence for essential fatty acids, macronutrients, micronutrients, and food additives.
• To assess the current state of knowledge regarding dietary interventions for mood and behavioral disorders.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search of major databases (Medline, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Embase) up to October 2008.
• Emphasis on empirical research from the last 10 years, including older relevant studies.
• Inclusion of studies on both adult and child populations.

Main Results:

• Substantial research on omega-3 fatty acids shows modest evidence for treating mood and behavior disorders.
• Limited research on carbohydrate and protein intakes indicates little influence on mood and behavior.
• Dietary elimination of artificial food additives may benefit children with hyperactivity; micronutrient supplementation aids mood only in deficient individuals.

Conclusions:

• More rigorous research, including longitudinal studies and randomized controlled trials with inert placebos, is needed for omega-3 fatty acid recommendations.
• Caution is advised regarding widespread elimination diets for hyperactivity due to potential burdens.
• Effective nutritional interventions like omega-3 fatty acids or additive-free diets could serve as cost-effective adjuncts to standard psychiatric treatments.