Nicholas Fabiano

In this enlightening discussion, Nicholas Fabiano, a psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa, and Rachelle Opie, an expert dietitian specializing in eating disorders, share insights on the connection between diet and depression. They explore how diets high in inflammation can exacerbate symptoms and highlight findings from the SMILES trial, which showed that dietary interventions like the Mediterranean diet can significantly reduce depression. Opie emphasizes patient-centric dietary changes, advocating for trauma-informed approaches that focus on positive additions rather than strict restrictions.

Nicholas Fabiano, a second-year psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa, discusses his research on exercise as a viable treatment for depression, revealing it can be as effective as medication. He introduces the FITT principle for exercise prescriptions and emphasizes the need for realistic goals. Joining him is Michelle Fortier, a physical activity psychologist and professor, who advocates for including kinesiologists in primary care to help patients overcome exercise barriers. They highlight the 'commit 10' method, encouraging patients to start with just ten minutes of activity.