Premium
Antioxidant intakes are lower in older adults with depression
Author(s) -
Payne Martha E,
Steck Susan E,
Steffens David C
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.975.5
Subject(s) - medicine , depression (economics) , antioxidant , vitamin e , cohort , body mass index , vitamin , vitamin c , biology , biochemistry , macroeconomics , economics
Objective To examine the cross‐sectional associations between depression and intakes of antioxidants, fruits and vegetables in a cohort of older adults. Methods Antioxidant, fruit and vegetable intakes were assessed in 288 elderly subjects (150 with depression, 138 without depression) using a Block 1998 food frequency questionnaire. Subjects were age 60 or over. Results Vitamin C, lutein and cryptoxanthin intakes were significantly lower among depressives than in comparison subjects (p<0.05). In addition, fruit and vegetable consumption, a primary determinant of antioxidant intake, was lower in depressed individuals. In multivariable models, controlling for age, sex, education, vascular comorbidity score, body mass index, total dietary fat, and alcohol, vitamin C, cryptoxanthin, fruits and vegetables remained significant. Antioxidants from dietary supplements were not associated with depression. Conclusions Antioxidant, fruit and vegetable intakes were lower in individuals with late‐life depression than in comparison subjects. These associations may partially explain the elevated risk of cardiovascular disease among older depressed individuals. In addition, these findings point to the importance of antioxidant food sources rather than dietary supplements. This project was funded by a NARSAD Young Investigator Award and the following NIMH grants: MH54846, MH60451 and MH70027.