Nutrient Patterns and Depression Risk in Older Adults

TOPLINE:

A nutrient pattern rich in magnesium, hydroxybenzaldehydes, stilbenes, dihydroflavonols, vitamin B, lignans, tyrosols, and proanthocyanidins is associated with 15% lower odds of depressive symptomatology (DS) in older adults, a 15-year study showed.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers analysed data of 1063 participants (mean age, 75.6 years; 56.6% women) from the French Three-City cohort study from 2001 to 2018.
• Nutrient intake was assessed using 24-hour dietary recall interviews. Principal component analysis was performed on 40 selected nutrients, including 21 polyphenols, three carotenoids, five fatty acids, nine vitamins, and two minerals.
• DS was evaluated on the basis of a Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression score > 16 and/or antidepressant use.
• The analysis controlled for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. The median follow-up duration was 11.5 years.

TAKEAWAY:

• Among the study participants, 39.3% experienced DS at least once during the study.
• Among the four identified nutrient patterns, the one involving a high intake of magnesium, hydroxybenzaldehydes, stilbenes, dihydroflavonols, lignans, tyrosols, folates, vitamins B6, B3, B5, and B1, and proanthocyanidins was associated with a decreased risk for DS over time (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.75-0.96).

IN PRACTICE:

“This longitudinal study within a substantial cohort of older adults identified a nutrient pattern characterised by high consumptions of magnesium, hydroxybenzaldehydes, stil­benes, dihydroflavonols, vitamin B6, lignans, tyrosols, folates, vitamins B3, B5, B1, and proanthocyanidins, associ­ated with a decreased odds of DS over a 15-year period,” the authors wrote.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Jeanne Bardinet, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France. It was published online on February 11 in the European Journal of Nutrition.

LIMITATIONS:

The availability of dietary assessments only at baseline implied consistent dietary behaviours over time, though life events may have influenced daily routines. Although selection bias was initially present, it diminished over time. Additionally, assessing circulating nutrient levels may have yielded more accurate measurements than dietary records. Selenium was not assessed despite its potential benefits for depression.

DISCLOSURES:

The Three-City project received support from various sources. The present study was supported in part by Activ’Inside. Some authors reported being employed by a nutrition company, whereas others reported receiving grants, consulting fees, lecture payments, or travel support from various organisations. Details are provided in the original article.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.