Implicated Pathways in Diet and Mental Illness

Health and general well-being have been related to good nutrition and diet. More in-depth review will be given in this chapter to the pathways and mechanisms relating nutrition and diet to mental illness, going further than the generally known diet-related problems. While traditional associations with obesity, heart disease, and diabetes are recognized, many recent scientific evidences back up the concept that diet strongly affects the state of mental well-being, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive function. This review delves into key pathways implicated in the diet-mental illness connection, emphasizing the roles of the gut microbiome, inflammation, oxidative stress, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, disrupted energy metabolism, and neurotransmitter pathways. Acknowledging the complexity of mental illnesses influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, the chapter highlights the evolving role of diet in mental health research. Current knowledge on how diet influences pathways associated with mental health is critically examined, with a focus on the integration of dietary approaches in neurology and psychiatry. The chapter underscores the recognition of food as a potential modulator of mood and neurological conditions, offering insights into the preventive and therapeutic implications for mental illness.