The Proof with Simon Hill Diet and Mental Health | Nutrition Scientist Megan Lee
Jan 16, 2022
In this podcast, Megan Lee discusses the impact of diet on mental health, research on plant-based diets and depression, misrepresentation of study results by the media, and challenges in conducting accurate research. The conversation also touches on the importance of lifestyle approaches for mental health, cardiovascular biomarkers, and the ideal meat consumption for optimal mental well-being.
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Multiple Causes Behind Depression
- Depression likely arises via multiple pathways beyond serotonin imbalance, including gene-environment and gut-brain mechanisms.
- Megan Lee emphasizes that what benefits the gut microbiome often benefits the brain.
Whole Diet Over Single Nutrients
- Whole-diet approaches (Mediterranean-style) matter more than isolated nutrients for mood.
- The SMILES randomized trial showed dietary change reduced depressive symptoms substantially versus control.
Reverse Causality Is A Major Challenge
- Observational studies on diet and depression face major reverse causality risk.
- Depressive symptoms often make healthy eating harder, confounding associations.