Inflammatory diet related to depression and onset of frailty: Study

A new study found a link between depression, diet, and the onset of frailty.

The Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences published this study. Frailty, which affects 10-15% of the elderly, is defined as an identified condition of heightened vulnerability caused by a loss of function across numerous physiological systems. It typically happens in conjunction with other medical issues, such as depression. Frailty, which affects 10-15% of the elderly, is defined as an identified condition of heightened vulnerability caused by a loss of function across numerous physiological systems.

Diet is considered to have a substantial impact on the development of frailty. This is one of the first studies to look at the link between dietary inflammation and frailty and depression.

Previous research has linked an inflammatory diet high in artificial trans fats (such partly hydrogenated oil), processed carbohydrates, and saturated fats to an increased risk of frailty.

The Framingham Offspring Study’s results were used in a study titled “Association of the pro-inflammatory diet with frailty onset among adults with and without depressive symptoms,” which sought to ascertain whether people with depressive symptoms are more prone to developing frailty in response to dietary inflammation. Data from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort were used in the study.

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The 1,701 non-frail participants provided baseline information on their diet and mental symptoms and were tracked for approximately 11 years before their frailty status was reevaluated. Inflammatory food was linked to an increased risk of frailty, according to the study, and this link was somewhat stronger in people who had depressive symptoms. According to the researchers, since people who experience depressive symptoms frequently have greater levels of inflammation, adding dietary inflammation to that level could hasten the onset of frailty.

The 1,701 non-frail participants provided baseline information on their diet and mental symptoms and were tracked for approximately 11 years before their frailty status was reevaluated. Inflammatory food was linked to an increased risk of frailty, according to the study, and this link was somewhat stronger in people who had depressive symptoms. According to the researchers, since people who experience depressive symptoms frequently have greater levels of inflammation, adding dietary inflammation to that level could hasten the onset of frailty.

The study’s principal author is Courtney L. Millar, PhD, Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Marcus Institute of Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, and Harvard Medical School. This study discovered that depressive feelings may make people more prone to becoming feeble as a result of eating an inflammatory diet. This shows that eating a diet high in anti-inflammatory substances (such as fibre and plant-based chemicals called flavonoids) may benefit in preventing the onset of frailty, according to Dr Millar.

According to the exploratory data, middle-aged and older persons who consume a pro-inflammatory diet are more likely to simultaneously acquire frailty and depression symptoms than they are to do so separately.

According to the exploratory data, middle-aged and older persons who consume a pro-inflammatory diet are more likely to simultaneously acquire frailty and depression symptoms than they are to do so separately.

Mediterranean Diet may prevent frailty

This study builds on two earlier ones by Dr Millar, one of which showed that eating a Mediterranean-style diet may prevent the onset of frailty and the other which demonstrated that a pro-inflammatory diet increased the risk of frailty development. Both of these studies were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

According to Dr Millar, “this study adds to our understanding of the connection between dietary inflammation, depression, and frailty.” “Increasing intake of fruits and vegetables that are high in fibre, flavonoids, and other dietary antioxidants may be even more crucial for individuals who are depressed.”

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