RESEARCH - Mediterranean diet may help prevent depression

[Guest guest]

Mediterranean Diet May Help Prevent Depression

Lower incidence seen in Spanish study

Posted October 5, 2009

By Ed Edelson

HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Oct. 5 (HealthDay News) -- People who followed the

Mediterranean diet, an eating regimen that is rich in fruits,

vegetables, whole grains, fish and nuts, were less likely to develop

depression in a Spanish study.

" We are speaking of a relative reduction in risk of 42 percent to 51

percent, " said study co-author Dr. A. ez-, chair

of preventive medicine at the University of Navarra. " This is a strong

association. "

The Mediterranean diet usually is recommended to reduce the risk of

heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular problems. This study,

reported in the October issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry,

is one of only a few to assess its effect on mental function.

The Spanish researchers followed more than 10,000 healthy adults who

filled out questionnaires between 1999 and 2005. All were free of

depression when the trial started. Their adherence to the

Mediterranean diet was measured by looking at nine components, such as

low intake of meat, moderate intake of alcohol and dairy products, and

high intake of fruits, nuts, cereals, vegetables and fish.

**********************************************

Read the entire article here:

http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/10/05/mediterranean-diet\

-may-help-prevent-depression.html

Not an MD