Can anybody with a mental health problem be treated with diet?
Some foods damage the brain by harming healthy brain cells but many nutrients can improve a person’s mood and mental health. Growing evidence, and a number of significant voices are saying that diet should be used in the care and treatment of people with mental health problems. Research into the use of dietary approaches in the treatment of mental illness shows that certain vitamins or minerals can alleviate depression, and the removal of certain food additives can help to alleviate the symptoms of hyperactivity in children. Research has been carried out both using diet as a standalone treatment, and as a complement to conventional treatments, such as medication. Our Government must look to nutrition as an option in helping people to both prevent and manage their mental health problems. Everybody is susceptible to mental ill health and for that reason people need to be educated about the implications of the foods they eat, and how they may affect them.
