Are Depressive Disorders Linked to Nutrition?
Laura Schneider
2026-03-23
6 min. read
1 / 1
1993
views
1 zdjęcie
Depressive disorders are the most commonly occurring mental disorders. Currently, over 350 million people suffer from depression. This mental illness affects all age groups, however, it most commonly occurs in elderly individuals, and more frequently in women than men. Depression causes those affected to be unable to function normally. It is the third most common cause of disability. Can proper nutrition aid in the fight against depression? Can an unhealthy diet be the cause of it? How can symptoms of depression be recognized?
What is Depression – Definition, Symptoms and Categorization
Depression is a disease that affects both the mental and the physical spheres. Depressive symptoms without proper treatment can increase the risk of somatic illnesses, and conversely, somatic diseases can cause depression. Prevention is very important to prevent and detect depressive disorders at an early stage, as well as treatment. Risk factors for depression include genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, abnormal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body, and disruption of the gut microbiota. Symptoms of depression include: loss of joy, feeling of emptiness, sadness, irritability, mood swings, fatigue, loss of appetite or increased appetite, weight changes, sleep disturbances, concentration difficulties, pessimistic thoughts about the future, including suicidal thoughts, decreased libido, constipation, menstrual disorders, skin problems. Depression can be caused by nutrient deficiencies, therefore laboratory tests are very important to detect potential deficiencies. A potential deficiency in vitamin B9 or B12 can be seen in the morphology as increased MCV (mean corpuscular volume) and increased homocysteine levels. Depression can be divided into several categories, including mild depression, moderate depression, and severe depression. There are many potential causes of depression, including existing diseases or medication use.
You have started reading a PRO article
You can preview the first chapter. To read the complete article and unlock all content, upgrade to a PRO account.
