Low-Calorie, High-Protein Diet helps Reduce Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in 15 Days: Study

A clinical trial finds significant mental health benefits of a high-protein diet in obese individuals, with effects evident as early as 15 days.

A recent randomized clinical trial in Iran has revealed that a low-calorie, high-protein diet can significantly alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression in obese individuals, even within just 15 days. Published in Nutritional Neuroscience, the study sheds light on the potential psychological benefits of dietary interventions for obese individuals.

The study, led by researcher Fatemeh Sadat Hashemi Javaheria, involved 60 obese participants with an average weight of 99 kilograms and a mean age of 33 years, 31 of whom were women. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups:

• Intervention Group: A low-calorie diet with an increased protein percentage.

• Control Group: A standard-protein low-calorie diet.

Key Findings

Over the course of the study, researchers evaluated the participants’ psychometric characteristics, including depression, anxiety, and stress levels, using the DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale).

• Within 15 days, participants following the high-protein diet showed reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.

• Over 30 and 60 days, they also reported significantly lower stress scores.

• Controlling for confounding variables like physical activity, the results strongly suggest that dietary protein intake can enhance psychometric outcomes.

Why Does This Work?

Previous studies have established a two-way link between diet and mental health in obese individuals:

• Low-calorie diets are associated with reduced depression, while high-calorie diets correlate with increased risk.

• High protein intake is also known to improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which may contribute to better mental health outcomes.

The study adds to growing evidence that dietary changes can serve as a complementary approach to managing mental health conditions in obese individuals.

Limitations and Context

Interestingly, the participants in this study did not exhibit elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress at baseline, as per their DASS-21 scores. However, even among this group, the dietary intervention showed measurable benefits in improving their psychometric variables.

While the findings are promising, further research is needed to generalize these results across diverse populations.

This study underscores the potential of tailored dietary strategies in addressing not just physical but also mental health challenges among obese individuals.