Clinical nutrition Free Essay Example, 2000 words

In the US, for instance, alcoholism has been largely associated with nutritional deficiencies affecting mental functioning. Diseases have also been found to result in nutritional deficiencies by compromising nutrient absorption into the body, as well as increasing the body requirement for nutrients (Osborn, 2001). On the other hand, ignorance, poverty and fad diets are among other factors that lead to nutritional deficiencies. According to the study by Berk and Jacka (2012), at least three quarters of the psychiatric disorders in human lifetime are seen at adolescence and during early adulthood. The report from the National National Comorbidity Survey Replication produced recently indicate that at least 22 percent of the adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 years had had an experience of clinically significant mental disorder, with the onset ages thought to be 6 years for anxiety disorders, and 13 years for the mood disorders (Petry, Barry, Pietrzak and Wagner, 2008). Depression is understood to be typically based on biochemical activities or having emotional roots. However, nutrition has an important role in depression onset together with the duration and severity of the condition. We will write a custom essay sample on Clinical nutrition or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Most of the food patterns that are easily noticeable, which precede depression are similar to those seen during depression (Parker, Parker and Brotchie, 2006). Such characteristics include skipping meals, poor appetite, together with a constant desire for sweet foods. Among the most common mental problems with high prevalence in many countries is schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, as well as the obsessive-compulsive disorder. The intake pattern of the diet in American and Asian countries demonstrate that there are high deficiencies in many nutrients, particularly the minerals, essential vitamins, and the omega-3 fatty acids. The notable features of diets among patients with mental disorders are the deficiency severity in the nutrients. Anstey, Lipnicki and Low (2008) indicate that daily vital nutrient supplements are effective in reduction of mental disorder symptoms. Supplements rich in amino acids have been identified as being important in reduction of the symptoms, since they are converted into neurotransmitters that eventually alleviate depression together with other problems of mental health (Scarborough et al, 2011). Recent scientific studies have resulted in the invention and development of the effective therapeutic intervention constituted by nutritional supplements, which are thought to be important in prevention and control of bipolar disorders, depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder/ attention deficit disorder, anxiety, addiction, and autism (Maes, Leunis and Berk, 2012).