A study proved that adults who consume low-fat milk and yogurt between one to four times weekly have fewer chances of depression risk. The survey was conducted by Prof. Ryoichi Nagatomi of Tohoku University in Japan.
Nagatomi and his team have investigated how the consumption of some low-fat and high-fat dairy products affects the development of depression risk. According to Medical News Today, the study has utilized 1,159 adults ( the majority were women) from Japan with age ranging from 19 to 83 years old. Through a dietary questionnaire, the participants were assessed how often they consume low-fat and high-fat milk and yogurt.
The symptoms of depression were assessed using a self-rating depression scale composed of 20 items. The team was able to draw depressive symptoms among 31.2 percent of men and 31.7 percent of women. From the series of assessment, the researchers were able to conclude that those who consumes higher amount of low-fat milk and yogurt were less likely to develop depression symptoms compared to those who consumes lower amounts of the said dairy products.
Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) reported that depression is a common illness worldwide which affects more than 300 million people. It is considered as the leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major cause of the overall worldwide burden of disease. In worst scenarios depression may lead to suicide; almost 800,000 people die due to suicide yearly.
Treatment for depression is surrounded with different barriers including; lack of resources, lack of trained health care providers and the social criticisms and stigma associated with mental disorders. The rate and prevalence of depression and other mental problems are rising globally. WHO's Mental Health Gap Action Programme helps people suffering from mental, neurological, and drug-use disorders through different services.
In the current study, the researchers stated that higher frequency of low-fat milk and yogurt intake may be associated with reduced depression risk. The team then suggests that further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms between the said associations.
