Mohajeri, M. H., La Fata, G., Steinert, R. E., & Weber, P. (2018). Relationship between the gut microbiome and brain function. Nutrition Reviews, 76(7), 481-496. https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article-abstract/76/7/481/4985887
The gut microbiome has two-way communication with the brain. Each of the two affects the functionality of the other. The relationship between the two is helpful in treating disturbances related to the nervous system. The gut microbiome affects the function of the brain, which is the cause of anxiety and depression. It also has an impact on the cognition ability of individuals. Changes in the gut microbiome have corresponding changes in brain composition. The articles point out that positive actions in the gut microbiome will correspond to positive functionality in the brain. The issues of depression are, therefore, in a way, controlled by activities in the gut microbiome. The article is, therefore, relevant in this research in establishing the role of poor nutrition in depression. The report is adequate for the study because nutrition involves passing food through the gut.
Gomez-Pinilla, F., & Nguyen, T. T. (2012). Natural mood foods: the actions of polyphenols against psychiatric and cognitive disorders. Nutritional neuroscience, 15(3), 127-133. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/1476830511Y.0000000035
The article shows the underlying relationship between food intake and brain functions. Some natural compounds found in foods, such as polyphenols, have properties unique in battling oxidative stress. They further lead to the activation of molecules crucial to synaptic plasticity in the brain’s cognitive function. These foods affect the comprehensive functionality of the brain and are essential in maintaining mental health. They are also crucial in the recovery of mind-related diseases. The relevance of this article to the research question is its connection of poor nutrition to depression. Discussing polyphenols as an action against cognitive disorders is relevant to depression. The absence of foods containing such nutrients, therefore, is a cause of depression.
Rao, T. S., Asha, M. R., Ramesh, B. N., & Rao, K. J. (2008). Understanding nutrition, depression, and mental illnesses. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 50(2), 77. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738337/
Nutrition has a significant role in both the onset and the severity of depression. It is a primary determinant also on the presence or absence of depression. Notably, many foods that precede depression are more or less the same foods consumed during the depression period. Poor appetite, as well as skipping meals, are some of the behaviors compatible with depression. Nutritive factors are directly linked with cognition and human emotions. Lack of essential vitamins and minerals in foods can lead to high chances of depression. The diets of many mental disorders patients are shown to lack significant vitamins and nutrients. The type of nutrients in food is a crucial determinant of mental health. The article is relevant in outlining the role of poor nutrition in depression. A diet without significant vitamins and minerals is the leading cause of mental illness. In addressing depression, it is essential to include major vitamins and minerals in the diet.
Ridley, M., Rao, G., Schilbach, F., & Patel, V. (2020). Poverty, depression, and anxiety: Causal evidence and mechanisms. Science, 370(6522), eaay0214. https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.aay0214
The presence of stressors is a major cause of depression. The article points out poverty to be the initial cause of these stressors. People living in poverty have a generally low income. They also tend to have a higher number of mental illnesses compared to those with higher incomes. The mental illness is attributed to several economic shocks. The ability to afford a good diet with the vitamins and minerals crucial for good mental health is not there. This makes them adopt poor nutrition, which they can afford. Lack of essential elements in their diet increases the chances of depression and other stressors associated with poverty. The article is relevant to the research emphasizing the essence of a good diet in reducing depression. Poor nutrition is one of the stressors for people living in poverty. As poverty goes hand in hand with inadequate nutrition, minimizing poverty reduces insufficient food consumption. The general effect of good nutrition reflects good mental health free from depression.
Leung, C. W., Epel, E. S., Willett, W. C., Rimm, E. B., & Laraia, B. A. (2015). Household food insecurity is positively associated with depression among low-income supplemental nutrition assistance program participants and income-eligible nonparticipants. The Journal of Nutrition, 145(3), 622-627. https://academic.oup.com/jn/article-abstract/145/3/622/4743717
Adverse mental outcomes in society characterize food insecurity. The evidence of the assertion is the hugeness in rates of depression for the populations which have less or inadequate food. The rate of depression is observed to be more severe with the increase in food insecurity. The inadequacy of food is, therefore, presumed to have a positive impact on depression. The relevance of the article in the research is its link of nutrition, and food, to the level and rates of depression among individuals. Food insecurity is a cause and incremental factor in depression. Addressing depression, therefore, calls for efforts to end food insecurity in poverty-stricken regions.
write