Food and mood: healthy eating for mental health with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

There is a growing interest in the connection between healthy eating, mental health (MH) and chronic disease prevention. Although people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are disproportionately affected by poor MH, nutritional guidelines have traditionally focused on non-mental factors, such as physical health, disease progression and biochemical control. Dietary manipulation, through healthy eating, may influence the gut microbiome, as well as mental and kidney health. This can be achieved through the interaction between the gut microbiome, brain and kidney, as well as the body's metabolism of nutrients, such as the amino acid tryptophan. While a wide range of nutrients are implicated in brain function and health, there is little evidence to support supplementation-based treatments–other than to avoid conventional malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Whole diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, may benefit MH, as well as reducing cardiovascular, renal and other chronic disease risk. A supportive and individualised approach to renal dietary restrictions may help to reduce the MH burden of CKD.