Dietary total antioxidant capacity as a preventive factor against depression in climacteric women

ABSTRACT Depression is characterized by physical or psychological distress and in many cases can lead to suicide. Objective: to assess the prevalence of depression and its possible relationship with dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and nutritional parameters in climacteric women participating in an extension university program in a Southern Brazilian city. Methods: data were obtained through questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Diet was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess the intensity of symptoms of depression. Results: DTAC of the population ranged from 435.60 to 4502.62 mg VCE/day. Among the most consumed antioxidant food/beverages, coffee ranked highest. Polyphenols were found to be directly linked to the antioxidant capacity of fresh foods (r=0.905; p=0.0001). Prevalence of depression in the population was 44%, and depressed women had lower intake levels of polyphenols (p=0.022; Cohen's d=0.80), and vitamin B6 (p=0.038; Cohen's d=0.65), vitamin A (p=0.044; Cohen's d =0.63), and vitamin C (p=0.050; Cohen's d =0.61). There was a significant negative correlation between BDI scores and polyphenol intake (r=-0.700; p=0.002). Conclusion: these results may contribute to a better understanding of the recommended dietary antioxidant intake as an adjuvant for preventing depression in women.

摘要：抑郁症以躯体或心理痛苦为核心特征，在多数病例中可引发自杀行为。研究目的：评估巴西南部某城市参与大学拓展项目的更年期女性的抑郁症患病率，及其与膳食总抗氧化能力（dietary total antioxidant capacity, DTAC）和营养参数的潜在关联。研究方法：数据通过问卷调查与人体测量学检测获取；膳食摄入情况采用24小时膳食回顾法进行评估；采用贝克抑郁量表（Beck Depression Inventory, BDI）评定抑郁症状严重程度。研究结果：受试人群的膳食总抗氧化能力范围为435.60~4502.62 mg VCE/天；在摄入频次最高的抗氧化食物/饮品中，咖啡位居首位。研究发现，多酚类物质与新鲜食品的抗氧化能力呈显著正相关（r=0.905；p=0.0001）。本研究人群的抑郁症患病率为44%；相较于非抑郁女性，抑郁女性的多酚类物质（p=0.022；Cohen's d=0.80）、维生素B6（p=0.038；Cohen's d=0.65）、维生素A（p=0.044；Cohen's d=0.63）及维生素C（p=0.050；Cohen's d=0.61）摄入量均显著更低。贝克抑郁量表得分与多酚类物质摄入量呈显著负相关（r=-0.700；p=0.002）。研究结论：本研究结果有助于进一步明确膳食抗氧化剂的推荐摄入量，可为女性抑郁症的预防提供辅助干预思路。