This presentation describes the Anti-depressant Food Score, a nutrient profiling system devised to assist in the treatment of depressive disorders. Evidence suggests dietary pattern is key to the prevention and treatment of depressive disorders, yet treatment rarely includes food recommendations. Nutrient profiling systems rank foods according to nutrient density and guide consumer choice and clinical recommendations. No current food rating scale focuses on nutrients required for mental health. The Anti-depressant Food Score lists foods and food categories with the highest concentrations of 12 antidepressant nutrients that should be considered by consumers and clinicians as dietary options to support prevention and recovery from depression.
A systematic literature review was conducted to derive a list of Antidepressant Nutrients from the 34 nutrients known to be essential for humans using level of evidence criteria. Nutritional data was extracted for a subset of foods with a high content of at least 1 Antidepressant Nutrient using a USDA database.(1). These foods were analyzed for Antidepressant Nutrient density resulting in an Antidepressant Food Score (AFS). Plant and animal foods were analyzed separately.
Twelve Antidepressant Nutrients relate to the genesis, treatment, and prognosis of depressive disorders: Folate, iron, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), magnesium, potassium, selenium, thiamine, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and zinc. The highest scoring foods were bivalves such as oysters and mussels, various seafoods and organ meats for animal foods. The highest scoring plant foods were leafy greens, lettuces, peppers, and cruciferous vegetables.
The Antidepressant Food Score is based on a nutrient profiling system devised to assist in the treatment of depressive disorders. This list of foods and food categories with the highest concentrations of the 12 Antidepressant Nutrients, the Antidepressant Foods, should be considered by consumers and clinicians as dietary options to support prevention and recovery from depression.
