Depression – Nutritional Therapy?

Birgit Holler, Manuela Konrad, Bad Gleichenberg, Österreich

At least 400 000 people in Austria suffer from depression. Although there are many causes of depression, a deficiency in some neurotransmitters probably plays a role.

As part of the clinical picture, some of the affected patients are incapable of feeding themselves properly, so that their intake of nutrients is inadequate. Qualitative and/or quantitative nutritional defects are therefore frequent and this is where nutritional therapy is focussed. Additional approaches in nutritional therapy are currently being investigated. One promising approach is the addition of increased quantities of n3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory activity and which strengthen neuronal connections. A second possibility is the use of specific nutritional supplements, such as tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan or S-adenosylmethionine, each as a supplement to therapy with anti-depressives.

Keywords: major depression, nutritional therapy, tryptophan, n3 fatty acids, S-adenosylmethionine

Sie finden den Artikel in deutscher Sprache in Ernährungs Umschau 11/10 ab Seite 593.