When I saw the title on the MAND 2020 agenda, I knew I had to attend because this is the entire reason why I chose a career in dietetics: to use food as a tool and means of complementary and alternative medicine. Kim Rosen-Kulp, RD presented on the use of nutrition for managing anxiety and depression. This can be a controversial issue in the nutrition field for two main reasons. First, the concept could be misunderstood as food curing anxiety and depression. This leads to my second point of the fact that because everyone’s gene expression is different, cures and management for life’s complications such as anxiety and depression is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Everyone’s body reacts differently to factors such as nutrient intake.

   With the evidence provided, I believe we are just beginning to understand nutrition’s impact on anxiety and depression. Take the conversation on the gut-brain axis, for example. A connection has been shown between functional gastrointestinal disorders and mood. We see an association of gut microbiota with obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disease, allergies, anxiety, and depression. There is also some evidence that depression and anxiety in return can alter gut microbes. An association does not mean we have definite answers for this matter.

One of the problems with this conversation is that it can be oversimplified. There are so many other factors, many of which are discussed during this presentation, such as supplements, fish oil, and popular diets also have impact on anxiety and depression. What we have right now are associations and trends that sometimes resemble patterns (positive and negative) between nutrition and anxiety and depression symptoms. The nutrition field needs to learn more about the gut-brain axis and how microbes and neurotransmitters are affected by stress, inflammation, and diet before applying it fully in medical nutrition therapy. Future studies should analyze popular diets and supplements to determine the best choices for decreasing anxiety and depression. Only then can we fully apply what we have found through research to practical nutrition application (using evidence-based practice) to help improve one’s mood.

Click here for the link to watch the hour-long presentation on Nutrition for Anxiety and Depression!

Use the password: MAND2020!