Micronutrients : Vital for Mental Health with Special Reference to Depression

Authors

  • Ratnesh Kumar Soni  Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology K.N. Government P.G. College, Gyanpur-Bhadohi (U.P.) , India
  • Dr. Sudhi Shrivastava  Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, C.M.P. College, Prayagraj (U.P.) , India

Keywords:

Depression, Micronutrients, Vitamins, Minerals.

Abstract

Extensive research indicates that nutrition may play a vital role in the inception and treatment of mental disorders such as, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. Further, more recent evidence on brain metabolism and functions suggests that nutritional habits or deficiencies of specific micronutrients can induce the development and progression of mental illnesses. However, diet is an important component of mental health, People are still unaware about the importance and requirement of nutrition for mental health. Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, feeling of sadness causing considerable impairment in daily life.It may also lead to a range of behavioral and physical symptoms like changes in sleep patterns, appetite, energy level, concentration, loss of consciousness, Inability to make decisions and other cognitive functions, it can also be associated with thoughts of suicide. Depression is predominantly triggered by a chemical imbalance in the brain, Neurotransmitters are the chemicals which controls vital neural functions is often synthesized from an amino acid and other micronutrients. Deficiencies of micronutrients may lead to alter the pattern of brain chemical neurotransmitters production and altered activity of neural circuits resulting in mental illness like depression. Which is more commonly physiologically or emotionally driven. Line of treatment includes medication, meditation therapy and self-care like sleep, different types of exercise, and diet. There are evidence supporting the benefits of proper diet and nutrition in different diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, diabetes, dementia, mental illness and depression. When indicated, suitable supplementation with vitamin C, folic acid, niacin, thiamine, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium and sodium and omega-3 fatty acids is suggested. Evidence suggests that daily supplements of vital nutrients are generally effective in controlling symptoms of depression.

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International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology

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Published

2017-10-31

Issue

Volume 3, Issue 7, September-October-2017

Section

Research Articles

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How to Cite

[1]
Ratnesh Kumar Soni, Dr. Sudhi Shrivastava, " Micronutrients : Vital for Mental Health with Special Reference to Depression, International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology(IJSRST), Online ISSN : 2395-602X, Print ISSN : 2395-6011, Volume 3, Issue 7, pp.1552-1557, September-October-2017.