Nutrition and Mental Health

An examination of the role nutrients play in mental health, this book reviews the scientific literature from many fields of science: health, psychology, nutrition, mental well-being, and the interface with chronic disease. The book provides a straightforward, readable report of broadly selected scientific research on how various nutrients affect mental health. It covers several types of mental health disorders and their links to nutrients, nutritional status, and nutritional supplements, providing mental health professionals with the information they need to properly evaluate nutritional issues.

Although primary advanced vitamin and mineral deficiencies are rare in the developed world, many common health conditions deplete nutritional status, including sub-optimal dietary intake, frequent alcohol consumption, changes in appetite due to aging, food allergies or sensitivities, special diets, and eating disorders. Covering topics as diverse as aging, the brain, eating habits, genetics, lifestyle, nutrients, and psychology, this book brings together two extremely complex aspects of life—human nutrition and mental health.

Organized by mental health concern as well as nutrient group, Nutrition and Mental Health reviews the scientific literature from many fields of science: health, psychology, nutrition, mental well-being, and the interface with chronic disease. It provides a straightforward, readable report of broadly selected scientific research on how various nutrients affect mental health. Professional resources are provided in easy-to-access tables as well as suggested formats for assessing nutritional status and guidelines for interpretation. Chapter summaries, a descriptive table of contents, an index, and glossary assist the reader in finding specific topics of interest.

A variety of mental health conditions may affect a person’s ability and interest in getting and eating a well-rounded selection of foods. An examination of the role diet plays in mental health, this book reviews the scientific literature from many fields of science: health, psychology, nutrition, mental well-being, and chronic disease management.