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UPI
2 hours ago
- Health
- UPI
Low-calorie diets might increase risk of depression
People on low-calorie diets scored higher for symptoms of depression, compared with those not dieting, researchers reported. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News Counting calories isn't simply a bummer, it might actually increase your risk of depression, a new study says. People on low-calorie diets scored higher for symptoms of depression, compared with those not dieting, researchers reported Tuesday in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health. Overweight people and men were particularly vulnerable to the mood changes that come with a low-calorie diet, results show. "Calorie-restricted diets were associated with higher depressive symptom scores, which contrasts with the findings of earlier controlled studies," concluded a team led by senior researcher Dr. Venkat Bhat, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto. "Additionally, biological men and overweight individuals appear more vulnerable to the negative effects of restrictive eating," the team added. Cutting calories might also rob the brain of nutrients needed to maintain a balanced mood, researchers speculated. For the study, researchers tracked the health of more than 28,500 participants in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007 and 2018. These people all had completed a questionnaire assessing symptoms of depression, and also were asked if they were following any particular diet. In all, just under 8% of participants reported symptoms of depression. Researchers categorized everyone based on their dietary pattern, including diets that restricted calories, diets that cut specific nutrients like carbs or fat or diets established to help manage health problems like diabetes or heart disease. About 87% of people weren't on any diet at all, while 8% followed a low-calorie diet, 3% a nutrient-restrictive diet, and 2% a dietary pattern for health reasons, researchers said. Those on calorie-restrictive diets scored higher on depression symptoms than those following no diet, results show. Overweight people following either a low-calorie or nutrient-restrictive diet scored even higher still, researchers found. And any sort of diet at all affected men's moods, the study says. These findings directly contradict previous studies which found that low-calorie diets eased depression, researchers said. "This discrepancy may arise because prior studies were primarily randomized controlled trials where participants adhered to carefully designed diets ensuring balanced nutrient intake," the researchers added. In real life, calorie-restricted diets often result in nutritional deficiencies and stress that can worsen symptoms of depression, the team noted. For example, glucose and fatty acids are critical for brain health. "Diets low in carbohydrates (glucose) or fats (omega-3s) may theoretically worsen brain function and exacerbate cognitive-affective symptoms, especially in men with greater nutritional needs," the team wrote. People on such diets also might become depressed if they fail to lose weight or if they weight-cycle, dropping pounds only to put them back on again, researchers said. Dr. Sumantra Ray, chief scientist and executive director of the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health in Britain, reviewed the findings. He said the new study "adds to the emerging evidence linking dietary patterns and mental health, raising important questions about whether restrictive diets which are low in nutrients considered beneficial for cognitive health, such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12, may precipitate depressive symptoms." However, Ray added that the observed effects on depression were relatively small. "Further well-designed studies that accurately capture dietary intake and minimize the impact of chance and confounding are needed to continue this important line of inquiry," he said in a news release. More information The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has more on the health effects of low-calorie diets. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Jordan News
4 hours ago
- Health
- Jordan News
Low-Calorie Diets May Worsen Depression Symptoms, Study Finds - Jordan News
A new study published in The BMJ has revealed a concerning link between low-calorie diets and an increased risk of depression symptoms, particularly among individuals who are overweight or obese. اضافة اعلان The research analyzed data from over 28,000 participants in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2018. Depression severity was assessed using a validated health questionnaire. Diet and Mental Health Scientific literature has long supported the idea that diets rich in whole foods—such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins—are associated with a lower risk of depression. In contrast, diets high in processed foods, fried items, and sweets are linked to a higher likelihood of developing depressive symptoms. However, this recent study focused specifically on restrictive diets, whether in terms of calorie intake or nutrient composition. Researchers found that participants who followed low-calorie diets reported higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to those who did not follow any diet. Among overweight individuals, those on a calorie-restricted diet saw a 0.46-point increase in depressive symptom scores, while those on nutrient-restricted diets experienced a 0.61-point increase. Gender Differences in Impact The study also revealed notable gender differences in how restrictive diets affected mental health. For example: Nutrient-restricted diets were associated with greater emotional and cognitive symptoms in men than in women. All participants who followed any form of restricted diet experienced increased physical symptoms like anxiety and tension, particularly obese males. Researchers suggest these effects may stem from the brain's need for essential nutrients like glucose and omega-3 fatty acids. When diets limit these, especially in people with higher nutritional needs, mood and cognitive function may suffer. Limitations and Cautions Despite these findings, lead researcher Sumantra Ray emphasized that the results are observational and do not prove causation. While clinical trials have shown improvements in mood with calorie restriction under controlled conditions, real-life dieting can lead to nutrient deficiencies that negatively affect both physical and mental well-being. Final Recommendations The study urges caution when adopting restrictive diets, particularly for those with overweight or obesity. Consulting with registered dietitians or healthcare professionals is strongly recommended to ensure any diet plan remains balanced and nutritionally adequate, supporting both physical and mental health.
UPI
5 days ago
- Health
- UPI
Diabetes, high blood pressure combo puts more Americans at risk
A study shows that a combination of diabetes/high blood pressure threatens more American lives. Adobe stock/HealthDay Twice as many Americans now face the increased risk of death that comes from having both high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, a new study reports. About 12% of the U.S. population had high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes at the same time in 2018, up from 6% in 1999, researchers reported recently in the journal Diabetes Care. Having both conditions more than doubled the risk of dying from any cause and tripled the risk of death from heart disease, compared to those without either condition, researchers found. "Even having co-existing prediabetes and elevated blood pressure was associated with up to 19% higher mortality risk, compared to having neither or either of these risk states," said senior researcher Nour Makarem, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. "This suggests that the increase in risk of dying commences before levels of blood glucose and blood pressure progress to Type 2 diabetes and hypertension," she said in a news release. For the study, researchers analyzed data for nearly 49,000 adults who participated in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2018. Conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, the survey includes health exams and lab tests to check the health of participants. "A striking finding is that the burden of co-existing hypertension and type 2 diabetes nearly doubled over the study period," Makarem said. "Overall, about two-thirds of participants with diabetes also had hypertension, and about a quarter of adults with hypertension had concurrent diabetes." About a third of people with both high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes died during a median follow-up of about nine years, researchers found. (Median means half died sooner, half later.) By comparison, 20% of those with only type 2 diabetes and 22% of those with only high blood pressure died. Just 6% of people with neither chronic health problem died. Overall, the study concluded that: Compared to having high blood pressure only, having both conditions increased risk of premature death from any cause by 66% and heart-related death by 54%. Compared to having type 2 diabetes only, having both increased risk of premature death by 25% and more than doubled the risk of heart-related death. "This underscores the urgent need for public health strategies to effectively prevent and manage these conditions and reverse these adverse trends," Makarem said. More information The American Diabetes Association has more on diabetes and high blood pressure. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
