Is Salt Making You Sad? How Sodium May Cause Depression and What Else Diet Research Reveals

We have long known that the diet affects depression, but science has become stronger and more over time. Science has moved from the diet affects depression, but we are not sure how, the specific diets benefit people with depression, but we are not sure why, more specific ideas such as a high sodium diet that causes depression. At this point, it seems to me that if you are not looking at your diet as a possible increase in treatment for depression, you are being lost. Here are some recent ideas about diet research and depression.

(There is a TL; DR for this articleIf you want to jump into the matter).

Can your diet really treat depression?

The investigation has been indicating for years that An unhealthy diet can increase the risk of depression and even symptoms of depression. However, the recommendations stopped simply trying to eliminate processed foods, eat more vegetables and all the other common healthy diet tips. We thought that a lower quality diet could damage it, but we didn’t know what diet could help you. This left people to discover what was «healthy» on their own.

Mediterranean diet and depression treatment

Then, the investigation arose about the mental diet (read about it here), which is similar to a Mediterranean diet. Mental diet seems to improve people’s mental health, and new research shows that it is not the only one. Several dietary interventions have been tested and demonstrate that they can treat depression.

For example, Here is a study That was done with 72 young men with moderate to severe depression. He showed that after 12 weeks in the Mediterranean diet, they were less depressed and had a higher quality of life.

Salt and Mental Health: What research says

There are rarely that science is willing to come out at the end of causality. In other words, it is very difficult to say that one thing Causes other. It is much easier to say that one is correlated or influences the other. This is one of the reasons why I almost never say anything Causes depression or bipolar disorder. Causality is incredibly difficult to prove.

However, two recent studies suggest that a high diet in salt causes depression and perhaps anxiety. Here, a huge study half a million in the United Kingdom, followed for 12 years, discovered that people who generally added salt to their food had a 16% of greater risk of depression and 5% higher anxiety riskAnd the people who always added salt had a 37% higher depression risk and 27% of higher anxiety risk. Those are numbers that are worth paying attention.

But that does not prove causality, as I said. This study in animals However, he is suggestive of this. While it is in mice, its results suggest that the increase in salt intake in the diet causes depression. (Note that although we would all like humans to demonstrate this, it is likely to design a study that is ethical and show causality). There is However, also other ideas about salt and depression.

(Thanks to Chris Aiken, MDto share this and much other incredibly useful research).

Could Ceto help with bipolar disorder?

Lately, there has been a great approach between some people in the ketogenic diet (also known as metabolic therapy) for the treatment of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Research is still in your childhood here, but it seems that some people with serious mental illnesses can improve the keto diet. A small study He showed improvements in general health markers and the best psychiatric results for four months.

This study of 31 people With major refractory depressive disorder, bipolar disorder or schizoofective disorder also showed impressive improvements in metabolic health along with depression scores and other psychiatric markers.

(Here is information about why Keto can help people with bipolar disorder. They have been looking at the connection for years).

All this is very preliminary. As this review says:

Although there is no high quality evidence of LC/KD [low-carbohydrate/ketogenic diets] Effectiveness in mood or anxiety disorders, several un controlled studies suggest possible beneficial effects. Solid studies are now needed to demonstrate efficacy, identify clinical groups that can benefit and if a ketogenic diet is required (beyond low carbohydrates) and characterize the adverse effects and the risk of relapse after the interruption of the diet.

Keep in mind that CETO studies have a decent -size abandonment rate (those who cannot stick to the diet), and that is in populations as hospitalized patients, so when this diet becomes medically, it is extremely difficult to maintain. In addition, keep in mind that if you want to try this diet, you must do it With medical supervision. Bad things can happen to your body if you try a ketogenic diet without knowing what you are doing.

Why diet affects mental health: science so far

We do not know exactly why the diet affects depression. Of course, you could say that «you are what you eat», but that is not a great answer. Some nutrients, As vitamin D clearly impact moodSo it is clear that if you do not have enough of that, you can be more depressed or anxious. But other things are not so clear. Some say that the anti -inflammatory properties of certain diets can be the reason why they work, while others say it is simply to lose weight what the trick does (the trick does (raised here). Another study Mention diets can work to improve depression through changes in intestinal microbioma, oxidative stress reduction and modulation of the hypothalamic-hydrene-adrenal axis function. So, people have their theories, and over time, we will learn more.

The diet is not a cure, but it could be a powerful part of its depression treatment

What is clear is that the link between diet and depression is no longer a soft or speculative science, it is becoming increasingly precise and convincing. From general dietary quality to specific components such as sodium, and even to specific dietary strategies such as Mediterranean or ketogenic diets, what we eat can shape our chemistry of the brain, inflammation levels, intestinal health and, ultimately, our mood.

Of course, the diet is not a magical bullet. Therapy, medication or other evidence -based treatments for depression will not replace. But, as a growing body of research suggests, it can be a powerful attach – Something that works along with its existing treatment to make it more effective. If you live with depression and have not considered your diet as part of your attention plan, it could now be time to start. Even small changes could help change their mental health in a more hopeful direction.

Frequently asked questions: diet and depression

Can the diet really improve symptoms of depression?

Yes, emerging research shows that changes in diet can significantly improve the symptoms of depression. Diets such as the Mediterranean or Mental diet have been linked to the slightest severity of depression, probably due to its anti -inflammatory properties, impact on intestinal health and nutritional density.

What is the mental diet and how does mental health affect?

The mental diet is a hybrid of the Mediterranean and Board diets, designed to support the health of the brain. Emphasize green leaves, berries, nuts, whole grains and fish. Studies have shown that following the mental diet can reduce the risk of depression and cognitive impairment.

Does salt increase the risk of depression?

Recent studies suggest that a high sodium diet can increase the risk of depression and anxiety. In a great study of the United Kingdom, people who often added salt to their foods had significantly higher depression rates, up to 37% higher for those than those than those than those than those than those than those than those than those than those than those than those than those than those than always added salt.

Is the effective keto diet for bipolar disorder?

While research remains early, some small studies suggest that a ketogenic diet (keto) can improve symptoms in people with bipolar disorder, especially those who have not responded to other treatments. However, it is a strict and medically demanding diet, so it should only be attempted with professional supervision.

Why does the diet affect depression?

There is not a single response, but several mechanisms are being explored: nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal regulation and intestinal microbiome imbalances seem to play a role. The diet influences these systems, which can explain its impact on mood.

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