Food intake is essential for human survival, providing essential nutrients for maintaining homeostasis. However, some people develop adverse reactions to the consumption of certain foods, known as food intolerances. These can be classified as toxic, due to microorganisms or substances present in food, and non-toxic, such as food intolerances not mediated by the immune system. Recent studies suggest a possible link between food intolerances and the development of depression, a prevalent and debilitating mental disorder.
Food Intolerance Mechanisms
Food intolerance can occur through several pathophysiological mechanisms, the main ones being:
Enzyme Deficiencies: Enzyme deficiencies can be both gastrointestinal and systemic. For example, deficiency of the lactase enzyme results in lactose intolerance, while mutation of the ALDOB gene causes hereditary fructose intolerance (RODRIGUES, 2011).
Pharmacological Intolerances: The presence of biogenic amines in foods, such as histamine, tyramine and serotonin, can cause adverse reactions in sensitive people. These amines are normally metabolized by enzymes such as monoamine oxidases (MAO), and their inhibition can lead to toxic levels in the body (CARDOZO et al., 2013).
Intolerances to Food Additives: Certain additives, such as nitrites and dyes, can also trigger intolerances (RODRIGUES, 2011).
Undefined Mechanisms: Some cases of food intolerance do not have a clearly defined pathophysiological mechanism (RODRIGUES, 2011).
Depression Associated with Food Intolerance
The relationship between the nervous and gastrointestinal systems is well documented. Serotonin, a biogenic amine derived from tryptophan, plays a crucial role in mood regulation. Deficiencies in tryptophan absorption, due to food intolerances, can lead to reduced serotonin levels, associated with depression (CUNHA et al., 2020).
Studies indicate that a diet rich in fat and low in essential vitamins and minerals, such as tryptophan, magnesium and vitamins B and D, can decrease the bioavailability of amines necessary for mental health, increasing the risk of depression (SEZINI; GIL, 2014) .
Studies and Clinical Evidence
Hidese et al. (2019) demonstrated a significant correlation between food allergies and depression in a sample of 11,876 Japanese people. Varea et al. (2005) showed that children and adolescents with carbohydrate malabsorption had increased levels of depression. This evidence reinforces the need to further investigate the mechanisms by which food intolerance may predispose to depression.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Understanding the mechanisms linking food intolerance and depression is crucial for developing effective therapeutic interventions. Administration of MAO inhibitors may be a viable strategy to prevent depression in patients with proven food intolerances. Additional studies are needed to validate sugar conjugation in intolerant patients and its impacts on serum tryptophan levels.
Reference:
CARDOZO, M. et al. Biogenic Amines: a public health problem. Virtual Chemistry Magazine, Rio de Janeiro, v. 5, no. 2, p. 149-168, 2013.
CUNHA, Andréa Mendonça Gusmão et al. Pharmacy manual 1: pharmacology. 2nd edition. ed. Salvador / Ba: Sanar Saúde, 2020.
HIDese, Shinsuke et al. Food allergy is associated with depression and psychological distress: a web-based study in 11,876 Japanese people. Journal Of Affective Disorders, vol. 245, p. 213-218, Feb. 2019.
RODRIGUES, Marisa Loio Rainho. FOOD INTOLERANCES. 2011. Dissertation (Master’s) – Medicine Course, Internal Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra.
SEZINI, Angela Maria; GIL, Carolina Swinwerd Guimarães do Coutto. Nutrients and Depression. Vita Et Sanitas, Trindade-Go, v. 8, no. 1, p. 39-57, 2014.
VAREA, Vicente et al. Malabsorption of Carbohydrates and Depression in Children and Adolescents. Journal Of Pediatric Gastroenterology And Nutrition, vol. 40, no. 5, p. 561-565, May 2005.
Dr. Fabiano de Abreu Agrela Rodrigues MRSB holds a post-PhD in Neuroscience and is an elected member of Sigma Xi – The Scientific Research Honor Society (more than 200 members of Sigma Xi have received the Nobel Prize), as well as being a member of the Society for Neuroscience in the United States, the Royal Society of Biology and The Royal Society of Medicine in the United Kingdom, the European Society of Human Genetics in Vienna, Austria, and the APA – American Philosophical Association in the United States. He holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in History and Biology. He is also a Technologist in Anthropology and Philosophy, with several national and international degrees in Neuroscience and Neuropsychology. Dr. Fabiano is a member of prestigious high IQ societies, including Mensa International, Intertel, ISPE High IQ Society, Triple Nine Society, ISI-Society, and HELLIQ Society High IQ. He is the author of more than 300 scientific studies and 30 books. He is currently a visiting professor at PUCRS in Brazil, UNIFRANZ in Bolivia and Santander in Mexico. He also serves as Director of CPAH – Centro de Pesquisa e Análises Heráclito and is the creator of the GIP project, which estimates IQ through the analysis of genetic intelligence. Dr. Fabiano is also a registered journalist, having his name included in the book of records for achieving four records, one of which is for being the greatest creator of characters in the history of the press.