Is depression related to diet? This is the question that the research team at James Cook University (Australia), led by Professors Zoltan Sarnyai and Robyn McDermot, tried to clarify. The researchers therefore asked questions about the diet of the inhabitants of two islands in the Torres Strait. Fast food was available on one, while the more secluded other did not have fast food.
In total, around 100 people from the archipelago were interviewed. “We asked them about their diet, looked at their level of depression and took blood samples., describes Dr. Maximus Berger, lead author of the study. As might be expected, residents of the more isolated island, devoid of fast food restaurants, reported higher seafood consumption and lower take-out food consumption than on the other. Isle. “
Of the nineteen people who presented with moderate to severe depressive symptoms, sixteen were from the island with a fast food restaurant. The results, published on the platform Taylor & Francis Online last August, showed that the consumption of processed foods was associated with an increased risk of depression, compared to the consumption of fish. “People with major depressive symptoms were both younger and consumed more take-out”, explains Dr. Berger.
PUFA n-6 and LCPUFA n-3
Blood samples also showed differences in the levels of two fatty acids in the bodies of people living on the two islands. PUFA n-6 acid linked to depression, and LCPUFA n-3 which helps fight it. Unsurprisingly, n-6 PUFA, present in many ready meals, was higher among islanders with fast food outlets. At the same time, LCPUFA, present in seafood, was more important among citizens of the other island.
In fact, Western diets are said to contain too much n-6 PUFA and a relative lack of n-3 PUFA. “In countries where food is traditional, the ratio n-6 to n-3 is 1: 1, in industrialized countries it is 20: 1”, says the author of the study. Nevertheless, he specifies: “Depression is complex, it is also linked to social and environmental factors, so there will be no quick fixes, but our data suggests that a diet rich in LCPUFA n-3 provided by fruits seafood and low in n-6 PUFAs as found in many take-out meals may be beneficial ”.
With the data available, Professor Sarnyai believes that it is premature to conclude that a diet could have a lasting impact on the risk of depression. Scientists do, however, confirm the impact of fatty acids in depression. Previous research, for example, had designated the use of omega-3 as an engaging avenue to fight against this disease.
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