"Nutrition is usually taken to be important for physical health, but mental health – brain health in
its widest sense – must be considered as equally important.
A diet lacking essential nutrients or containing too many ingredients that are detrimental in
excess is likely to have adverse consequences for brain function and thus mental health and
behaviour. It is widely agreed that a balanced diet is required to support physical health – and
there is good scientific evidence suggesting that the Mediterranean diet is a good model. It is
likely that a balanced diet of this kind is also beneficial for the healthy functioning of the brain.
It is now established that certain essential fatty acids (EFAs) especially Arachidonic Acid (AA)
and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) form an important part of the cellular structure of the brain
and in maintaining its normal functions. But there is no nutritional magic bullet. No nutrient
works in isolation; a deficiency in one leads to sub optimal functioning of others. The lack of
certain nutrients, however, may be associated with a range of mental and behavioural disorders
as this report describes. A deficiency of omega-3 EFAs is associated with certain mental and
behavioural disorders, such as ADHD, depression, dementia, dyspraxia, greater impulsivity and
aggressive behaviour, but the association is still only partly understood.
We believe that on-going research into the nutritional aspects of brain structure and function
should be supported and further expanded. This should be funded, and new research
commissioned, by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Department of Health, but also by
the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Ministry of Justice because they are
responsible for the areas of policy where public benefits are most likely to accrue, if the evidence
emerging from recent trials is confirmed by further research. The Medical Research Council and
universities will undertake much of this research. "
See the entire Journal article @ Food For The Brain