Low -calorie diets linked to a surprising effect of mental health, according to new research

Research on a low -calorie diet could lead to negative mental health, researchers have revealed in Toronto, Canada.

A new study, published in BMJ Nutrition, prevention and health, investigated how restrictive diets adopt depressive symptoms.

Using the National Survey of Health and Nutrition Exam, researchers analyzed about 29,000 adults who reported their dietary habits and also completed a mental health questionnaire.

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Almost 8% of these adults reported depressive symptoms.

Compared to those who did not follow a specific diet, those who hooked on a restricted calorie diet – including individuals with overweight – The study found an increase in the gravity of depressive symptoms.

People who followed a restricted diet by nutrients experienced a greater increase in symptoms, while men who followed any diet showed “higher somatic symptom scores compared to non -diet.

The researchers concluded that there are “possible implications for diets widely followed on depressive symptoms and a need for tailor -made dietary recommendations based on BMI and sex.”

Potential limitations

Judith S. Beck, a doctor, president of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Pennsylvania, reacted to these findings in an interview with Fox News Digital.

The expert, who was not involved in research, said that he only showed a association between low calorie diets and depression.

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“This is an important distinction, [because] Correlation is not equal to causation and having a few depressive symptoms does not mean that you have the condition of depression, “he said.

Beck said that negative depression and emotions can also be caused by multiple cognitive, emotional or behavioral factors that “are” more directly associated with depressive symptoms. “

Promoting healthy habits

The Holistic Nutritionist Certified Robin Decicco in New York City said that most North -Americans would benefit from losing weight, as 70% of North –

This can be done by reducing the intake of sugary drinks and processed foods and learning to incorporate more whole foods such as lean proteins, vegetables, fruits and nuts, recommended by Decicco, who also did not participate in the study.

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The nutritionist also warned of following fashion diets.

“It is not sustainable or healthy to follow these trends because they are often not educating the audience about the nutrient type of nutrients to function mentally and physically, which is why it does not surprise me that people can experience depressive symptoms and cognitive affective when they lose weight.”

The quality of calories is “importantly,” said Decicco.

“Although weight loss is on calories and calories, it is also the type of calories and what we need for fuel, protection against illness and mental and physical satisfaction,” he said.

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“Food has the power to help or hurt ourselves, and if we do not eat certain known foods to promote mental well-being, we will definitely suffer cognitive impairment and unstable mood.”

As an example, cutting fat because they are rich in calories, such as salmon, avocado, olive oil and nuts -To cuts nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation, prevent disease and improve cognition, brain health and brain, decicco said.

“If anyone wants to lose weight, but it also has a history of health of cognitive decline or is diagnosed with depression, it is even more important to emphasize the food groups mentioned above,” added Decicco.

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Beck echoed the importance of eating in a “very healthy” way, while recommending that people take into account the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

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“The CBT helps people to learn the cognitive skills (thought) and the behavior they need to eat as healthy as possible, taking into account their circumstances and to change their thinking so that they can make long -term changes in their nutrition and improve their general health,” he said.

Fox News Digital contacted researchers in the study to comment.