In this video, Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Sanil Rege covers the role of nutraceuticals / nutritional supplements in a simplified way.

Diet and nutrition are considered key modifiable factors in the development of mental health disorders.

High fat and high sugar diets are unbalanced and nutrient-poor and these diets can be a risk factor for not only cardiometabolic diseases and cancer but also mental health disorders.

Nutritional neuroscience is an emerging research field that investigates how nutrient supplementation can complement an inadequate diet and provide added physiological benefits and act as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy.

The following nutraceutical, nutritional supplements are discussed:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs)
• Tryptophan and 5-HTP
• S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe)
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
• N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
• Phosphatidylserine
• Choline
• Melatonin
• St John’s Wort: Preliminary findings suggest that SJW is well tolerated and may be clinically effective in the treatment of some adolescents with mild depression. It is however not routinely recommended in the treatment of children.
• Vitamins and minerals