Study finds low-calorie diets associated with increased depression symptoms

Researchers in Toronto, Canada revealed that starting a low-calorie diet may lead to mental health.

A new study published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health examines how the adoption of restrictive diets stimulates symptoms of depression.

The researchers used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to analyze nearly 29,000 adults who reported eating habits and completed a mental health questionnaire.

Studies have shown that people who eat this specific diet have lower rates of dementia.

Nearly 8% of these adults reported symptoms of depression.

Those who stick to their diets compared to those who do not follow a specific diet – Including overweight people – The study found that the severity of depression symptoms increased.

People who followed a nutritious diet increased significantly, while men who followed any diet reportedly showed a “higher somatic symptoms score” compared to non-dieters.

The researchers concluded that “the potential effects of diet on depression symptoms are broadly followed and dietary recommendations tailored to BMI and gender are required.”

Potential limitations

Dr. Judith S. Beck, president of the Baker Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Pennsylvania, responded to the findings in an interview with Fox News Digital.

Experts who did not participate in the study noted that it only showed an association between a low-calorie diet and depression.

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“This is an important difference, [because] Relevance does not equal causality, and having some depressive symptoms does not mean that you have a condition of depression. ” she said.

Baker notes that depression and negative emotions may also be caused by multiple cognitive, emotional or behavioral factors “more directly related to depression symptoms.”

The study found that men scored higher in depression symptoms than women. (iStock)

Develop healthy habits

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New York City-certified holistic nutritionist Robin Decicco commented that most Americans will benefit from weight loss because 70% of Americans are overweight or obese.

This can be done by reducing intake of sugary beverages and processed foods and learning how to blend more whole foods such as leptin, vegetables, fruits and nuts, recommended Decicco, and not involved in the research.

Research has found that this weight loss program performs better than traditional dieting.

Nutritionists also warn against following fashionable diets.

“It is not sustainable or healthy to follow these trends because they don’t usually educate the public on the nutritional type mentally and physically, which is why people experience depression and cognitive symptoms when losing weight, which is not surprising to me.”

Nutritionists warn that cutting off some high-fat foods, such as avocado and olive oil, is also eliminating nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids. (iStock)

Decicco points out that the calories are “very big” in mass.

“Weight loss is about calories and calories, but it also involves the type of calories and the fuel we need to prevent illness and what we need to be satisfied with mental and physical satisfaction,” she said.

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“Food has the power to help us or hurt us, and if we don’t eat certain foods that are known to promote mental health, we will certainly suffer from cognitive impairment and emotional instability.”

For example, reduce fat because they are high in calories – such as salmon, avocado, olive oil and nuts Decicco points out that it can also reduce nutrients such as Omega-3 fatty acids, thereby reducing inflammation, preventing disease and improving cognitive, mood and brain health.

“Food has the power to help us or hurt us, and if we don’t eat certain foods that are known to promote mental health, we will certainly suffer from cognitive impairment and emotional instability.” (iStock)

“It is more important to emphasize the above food groups if someone wants to lose weight but also has a cognitive decline or has a health history of being diagnosed with depression,” Decicco added.

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Baker responded to the importance of eating in a “very healthy way” while also recommending people consider cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

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“CBT helps people learn the healthiest cognition (thinking) and behavioral abilities that can be as healthy as possible and change their minds to change their thinking so that they can change their diets and improve overall health over time,” she said.

Fox News Digital approached research researchers to comment.