Pathogenesis and treatment of depression; role of diet in prevention and therapy. Review

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of depression, which is related to, inter alia, the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression can be fatal if not treated or treated inappropriately; is the main cause of suicide attempts. The disease is multifactorial, and pharmacotherapy often fails to bring satisfactory results. Therefore, more and more importance is attached to the natural healing substances and nutrients contained in food. They can significantly affect the process of therapy and prevention of depressive disorders. A proper diet plays a very important role in the prevention of depression and can be a valuable addition to psychological and pharmacological treatment. In turn, an inadequate diet may reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants or may increase their side effects, leading to life-threatening symptoms. The work is a review of the literature on the pathogenesis of the development and treatment of depression, with particular emphasis on dietary supplements and the role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of depressive disorders.