Modern approaches to management of medical conditions are based on a holistic view, taking into account bidirectional connections between physical and mental health. The current pharmacologically ...focused model has so far provided modest benefits in addressing the burden of poor mental health. Convincing data suggest that diet quality and select nutrient-based supplements might influence a range of neurochemical modulatory activities, improving the management of mental disorders. Examples of these nutrient-based supplements include omega-3 fatty acids, S-adenosyl methionine, N-acetyl cysteine, zinc, B vitamins (including folic acid), and vitamin D. The traditional Mediterranean diet is considered to be the most beneficial diet in our region. Based on the results of preclinical studies, we are increasingly aware of the role of intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis and potential treatment of mental disorders. Bidirectional signalling between the brain and the gut microbiome involving vagal neurocrine and endocrine signalling mechanisms influences mental and physical wellbeing. These findings suggest that using prebiotics, probiotics or in the strict sense psychobiotics, as well as incorporating fermented foods in the diet, could have a potential role in the management of mental disorders. As of now, we lack sufficient evidence to implement recommendations for dietary supplements in treatment guidelines, however, this might change in light of emerging data from contemporary research studies, at least for certain indications.
This multicentre, cross-sectional observational study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression among the working population of Slovenia and identify factors correlating with higher prevalence ...of depression. It was conducted in three occupational medicine practices within major Slovenian primary health care centres. The study population consisted of 1,474 respondents 73.7 % of the invited participants, 889 (60.3 %) men and 585 (39.7 %) women with mean age of (40.5±9.8) years who visited these practices for their regular check-ups from November 2010 to June 2012 and were asked to fill in a self-developed questionnaire and score depression on the Zung’s self-rating depression scale. According to the rating, 50 (3.4 %) respondents suffered from depression. In the multivariate analysis, depression correlated with the following independent variables: self-perceived exposure to chronic stress, positive family history of depression, and primary school education.
Namen raziskave je bil določiti prevalence depresije med delovno aktivno populacijo in odkriti morebitne dejavnike, povezane z večjo prevalence depresije. Izvedli smo multicentrično presečno opazovalno raziskavo v ambulantah medicine dela, prometa in športa v treh večjih zdravstvenih domovih v Sloveniji. Opazovana populacija je bila sestavljena iz zaporednih obiskov delavcev, ki so prišli na redni preventivni pregled od novembra 2010 do junija 2012. Podatke smo zbirali s pomočjo vprašalnika, depresijo pa smo ugotavljali na podlagi Zungovega vprašalnika. V vzorcu je bilo 1.474 (73,7 %) posameznikov, od katerih je bilo 889 (60,3 %) moških. Povprečna starost vzorca je bila (40,5±9,8) let. V vzorcu je bilo 590 (3,4 %) posameznikov z depresijo. V multivariatni analizi so bile naslednje spremenljivke neodvisno povezane s prisotnostjo depresije: izpostavljenost stresu, pozitivna družinska anamneza depresije in osnovnošolska izobrazba.