Nutrition, Exercise, and Stress Management for Treatment and Prevention of Psychiatric Disorders. A Narrative Review Psychoneuroendocrineimmunology-Based
Open Access
- 29 July 2021
- journal article
- review article
- Published by MDPI AG in Endocrines
- Vol. 2 (3), 226-240
- https://doi.org/10.3390/endocrines2030022
Abstract
Psychoneuroendocrineimmunology (PNEI) brings together knowledge acquired since the 1930s from endocrinology, immunology, neuroscience, and psychology. With PNEI, a model of research and interpretation of health and disease is emerging, which sees the human body as a structured and interconnected unit, where the psychological and biological systems are mutually coordinated. In the PNEI view, many factors could influence mental health, with the endocrine system involved in mediating the effects of environmental stress on mental health and inflammation in the onset and course of psychiatric disorders as a result of individual and collective conditions and behaviors. Among these, nutrition is one way by which the environment impacts physiology: indeed, many pieces of research showed that several elements (e.g., probiotics, fish oil, zinc) have a positive effect on mental disorders thus being potentially augmentation agents in treatment. Still, physical activity can moderate depressive symptoms, while prolonged stress increases the risk of psychopathology. Taken together, the PNEI-based approach may inform prevention and treatment strategies, also in the field of mental health care.Keywords
This publication has 104 references indexed in Scilit:
- Brief Training of Psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology-Based Meditation (PNEIMED) Reduces Stress Symptom Ratings and Improves Control on Salivary Cortisol Secretion Under Basal and Stimulated ConditionsEXPLORE, 2014
- Cautionary Statement for Forensic Use of DSM-5Published by American Psychiatric Association Publishing ,2014
- Psychobiotics: A Novel Class of PsychotropicBiological Psychiatry, 2013
- Epigenetic Biomarkers as Predictors and Correlates of Symptom Improvement Following Psychotherapy in Combat Veterans with PTSDFrontiers in Psychiatry, 2013
- A Meta-Analytic Review of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Compositions in Patients with DepressionBiological Psychiatry, 2010
- Long-Chain ω-3 Fatty Acids for Indicated Prevention of Psychotic DisordersArchives of General Psychiatry, 2010
- Hypothalamic IKKβ/NF-κB and ER Stress Link Overnutrition to Energy Imbalance and ObesityCell, 2008
- Exercise as a Treatment for Depression and Other Psychiatric DisordersJournal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 2007
- Effects of physical exercise on anxiety, depression, and sensitivity to stress: A unifying theoryClinical Psychology Review, 2001
- Exercise and Mental HealthSports Medicine, 1990