Dietary Constituents for Mental Health Promotion and Healthy Ageing

Nutritional status can affect the onset/outcomes of mental disordersMental disorders, and hence, food/diet is an important consideration in the maintenance of mental well-beingMental well-being during ageingAgeing. Nutrients, specifically n − 3/n − 6 omega polyunsaturated fatty acids (α-linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and linoleic acid), B vitaminsVitamins (niacin, folate, pantothenic acid and cobalamin), antioxidative vitaminsVitamins (A, C and E), vitaminVitamins D and magnesiumMagnesium, have essential roles in the preservation of normal brain functioning. Their deficiencies are common in patients with mental disordersMental disorders while supplementation may be useful to promote overall mental well-beingMental well-being by alleviating anxietyAnxiety, depression and cognitionCognition impairment during ageingAgeing. In addition, phenolic compounds, the major secondary metabolites in plant foods, have antidepressant effects due to their ability to reduce oxidative stressStress, neuroinflammationNeuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis and promote neurotransmitterNeurotransmitters synthesis, neurogenesis stimulation and neuron survival. This chapter provides an overview of the mental healthMental health-promoting dietary constituents and recommendations for their consumption for mental well-beingMental well-being during ageingAgeing.