Evidence is growing that nutritional interventions via diet or certain supplements can benefit patients with depression, new clinical guidelines say.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has updated its 2015 mood disorders resource for psychiatrists, psychologists and GPs, setting out the latest evidence for psychological, pharmacological and lifestyle strategies.

Level II evidence now supports the positive impact of nutritional diets on mood disorder symptoms, psychological wellbeing and overall health, the document says. 

“The benefits of dietary modifications in the treatment of depressive disorders have been the subject of intense research, and the evidence supporting the ‘Mediterranean diet’ … has increased,” the college’s mood disorders committee wrote.