A traditional or whole diet characterized by vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and high-quality meat and fish may help prevent mental illness — specifically, depression and anxiety. Conversely, a Western diet high in refined or processed foods and saturated fats may increase the risk of depression, new research suggests.

A large, cross-sectional study conducted by investigators at the University of Melbourne in Australia shows that women who regularly consume a so-called traditional diet were more than 30% less likely to have major depression, dysthymia, and anxiety disorders compared with their counterparts who consume a Western diet. In addition, the Western diet was associated with a 50% increased likelihood of depression.

“Simply put, if you habitually eat a healthy diet that includes fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and high-quality lean meat, then you may cut your risk of depression and anxiety,” principal investigator Felice Jacka, PhD, told Medscape Psychiatry.

But one caveat here, said Dr. Jacka, is high-quality meat, which is difficult to come by in the United States. This is because most of the cattle in North America are raised — from birth to death — in feed lots, where they are fed a corn-based diet.

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A genetic tendency to depression is much less likely to be realized in a culture centered on collectivistic rather than individualistic values, according to a new Northwestern University study. In other words, a genetic vulnerability to depression is much more likely to be realized in a Western culture than an East Asian culture that is more about we than me-me-me. The study takes a global look at mental health across social groups and nations.  Click here to read the article.

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Adults who completed a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training showed increases in mindfulness and overall wellbeing, and decreases in rumination and symptoms of depression. Rumination was considered particularly important because a tendency toward rumination in nondepressed populations has been found to be predictive of subsequent onset of depression.

Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, 2009, 5 (5), pp. 265-271

Research shows for the first time that a group-based psychological treatment, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), could be a viable alternative to prescription drugs for people suffering from long-term depression.Click here to read the article.

People with severe and recurrent depression could benefit from a new form of therapy that combines ancient forms of meditation with modern cognitive behaviour therapy, early-stage research by Oxford University psychologists suggests. Click here to read the article.

New research indicates that decreased cravings for pleasure may be at the root of a core symptom of major depressive disorder. The research is in contrast to the long-held notion that those suffering from depression lack the ability to enjoy rewards, rather than the desire to seek them. Click here to read the article.

PLoS One, August 2009

While depression is often linked to negative thoughts and emotions, a new study suggests the real problem may be a failure to appreciate positive experiences. Click here to read the article.

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, March 2009

A history of major depression increases the risk of heart disease over and above any genetic risks common to depression and heart disease, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the VA. The findings are reported this week at the annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society this week in Chicago. Click here to read the article.

Editors comment:

Many researchers speculate that one pathway between depression and cardiovascular disease might be decreased levels of hear rate variability.

Heart rate variability (HRV) has proven predictive value for patients with cardiac and neurologic disorders and correlates with depression severity and treatment effects.In this study researchers explored with HRV could be used to predict the efficacy of Electroconvulsive therapy when treating depression.

The researchers found that Low baseline HRV is associated with rapid relapse of depression after ECT. Both high baseline HRV and increasing HRV predict a sustained outcome.

Journal of ECT, 2004, 20 (2), Pages 81-88

Study finds mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as effective as anti-depressant medication. Click here to read the article.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, December 2008