Mental health epidemic is "great threat to humanity": Expert

This content item was originally published on www.nutraingredients.com, a William Reed online publication.

By Stephen Daniells in London

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Nutrition

Mental health epidemic is "great threat to humanity": Expert
A change in the nutritional paradigm away from calories towards healthy brain growth is needed if society is to avoid an impending mental health epidemic, leading omega-3 researchers have said.

Speaking at the Celebration of DHA event in London, Professor Michael Crawford told Stephen Daniells that we need to move away from our atherogenic/anthrombogenic-type fats in our diet and increase our consumption of marine-based fats.

"We estimate that the bulk of the mental health issues could potentially be addressed and the impending rise in disorders reversed through adequate nutrition and we urge all parties to come together in tackling this most serious of problems,"​ said Prof Crawford, director of the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition at the London Metropolitan University.

At the same event, Jack Winkler, Professor of Nutrition Policy, hit out at public health policy. EU legislation to allow for health claims to be made about the consumption of plant and marine-based omega-3s has led to the "legalised deception of consumers"​, said Prof Winkler.

"EFSA has also set low dietary recommendations for DHA and EPA of 250 mg per day, and the European Commission has used this is a basis for making claims. A product can claim that it is high in omega-3 if it contains just 30 per cent of this. The practical consequence is that European consumers following this advice would be consuming too little DHA/EPA to do them much good," ​said Prof Winkler.

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2 comments

Prevention: A collaboration between Nutritionists and other health experts

Posted by Lanna-Gerline Millien,

Thank you for this interview. Considering the subject being discussed and the importance given to adequate nutrition in preventing a mental health epidemic, it would have been great to hear a few words on the leadership approaches taken to integrate nutrition experts and dietitians as key actors in prevention. Those actors have the capacity to have a general view and act on those 3 postulates:

1) DHA and EPA are not objects separated from an overall healthy diet. They must be taken in interaction with other nutrients which could also further support better mental health.

2) It is important to recognize that each group of experts has knowledge, skills and approaches that are different. A collaborative approach could perhaps be further encouraged between professions.

3) When talking prevention, often it also means action. Through various interactions, how can expert knowledge be transformed into action and generate a clear benefit for the general population? How can this knowledge about DHA and EPA be constructively transferred to the general population and not reside solely in the hands of science.

Those are questions. No need to answer. But please comment if you'd like.

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Dietitians

Posted by Helen Wessels,

It was interesting that you noted the "lack of nutritional education" in medical schools. It is true that Doctors are not educated in this field and therefore a profession dedicated entirely to the field was created called Dietetics. Dietitians are extremely specialised in human nutrition and dedicate their lives to the knowledge and implementation of nutrition in the medical field. Why re-invent the wheel? Rather make use of these professionals as was intended.

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