More resources on nutrition and mental health

I'm continuing to search for and read resources on nutrition and mental health. I feel like I'm just scratching the surface. Here are some links with my comments.

• Nutrition and the Brain -- This entry in the Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders covers the role of macronutrients and key vitamins in brain structure and function. The information is accurate and clearly explained and could easily be adapted for patient/client education. A dietitian's name (Nancy Gustafson, M.S., R.D., F.A.D.A., E.L.S) is listed at the end but it's not clear if she is the author of this entry.
• Household Food Insufficiency is Associated with Poorer Health (HTML version) (PDF version) -- A Canadian study that examined the relationship between  food insufficiency and physical, mental and social health.  "Individuals in food-insufficient households had significantly higher odds of rating their health as poor or fair, of having restricted activity, of having poor functional health, of suffering from multiple chronic conditions, of having major depression and distress, and of having poor social support compared with those in food-sufficient households" (boldface text added for emphasis). A  valuable evidence-based reference on the impact of food insecurity on health.
• Nutrition and Depression: Implications for Improving Mental Health Among Childbearing-Aged Women -- Unfortunately the full-text article is not available free online (cost is US$31.50) but you may have access to it through your workplace, library or educational institution.
• Food for Thought (PDF) from The National Alliance on Mental Illness  and Food and Mood (PDF) from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance -- Practical, empathetic patient/client eating guidelines.
  

Comments

[kathryn]

Really useful resources Elaine - thanks for these. The patient food guides at the end are great - well laid out, good information without being patronising. I like the list of replacement foods in the NAMI Food For Thought booklet.

Sophie from Mostly Eating pointed me to your blog and I'm enjoying your back catalogue.

[Elaine]

Thank you, Kathryn. By the way you write one of my favourite nutrition blogs, Limes & Lycopene. I'm on my way to visit you right now.

[Heidi]

Hi Elaine,
Thanks so much for the great links! I was very happy to find the Canadian Household Insufficiency study as I recently attended a Food Security conference and am hoping to join a local commitee to address the topic. This will be a great article to share and discuss. I have been sharing your websites with some colleagues as I find your resources and links invaluable and well organized. So, thanks again!

[Elaine]

Hi Heidi.
I'm happy to hear you found the links helpful and will be sharing them.

[Mel T]

Hey Elaine,

Just wanted to say thank you for these brilliant resources, just exactly what I've been looking for.

[Elaine]

Hi Melanie. So great to hear from you. I'm happy you found resources you needed.

And in case people have missed it, I'm giving a shout-out to your great blog:
Dietriffic -- Healthy Eating, Diets and Lifestyle <http://www.dietriffic.com/>