On November 12, 2024, DHBW Heilbronn hosted an engaging “Nutrition Dialogue,” focusing on personalized nutrition in the context of mental health and menopause. Presentations by Joanna Ledunger, co-founder and CEO of HEALTHY LONGER GmbH, and Kathrin Friedrichs, nutrition scientist and researcher on personalized nutrition at DHBW, highlighted current scientific findings and innovative approaches.
Personalized Nutrition as a Key to Mental Health
Joanna Ledunger opened the event with an impressive analysis: 40% of the population suffer from mental health issues. Diagnostic processes often rely on the subjective impressions of those affected, while objective criteria are often only considered secondary. As a result, mental illnesses are frequently misdiagnosed or not comprehensively identified.
Ledunger’s central hypothesis: Nutritional deficiencies are a key factor in mental health disorders.
Our nervous system controls and coordinates all vital body functions, processes stimuli from the environment, and enables movement, thinking, emotions, and organ regulation. The nervous system consumes up to 40% of the nutrients absorbed through diet, making it the body’s most nutrient-demanding organ. A nutrient-deficient diet can weaken it. The gut-brain axis and the blood-brain barrier play a crucial role here, as insufficient nutrient supply can disrupt communication between the digestive organs, circulatory system, and the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Ledunger sees a breakthrough in the concept of neurometabolic biomarkers: these indicators provide information about the nervous system’s metabolism and can aid in detecting mental illnesses. Using urine samples, questionnaires, and AI-supported analyses, personalized nutritional plans can be developed to alleviate symptoms. This project is still in development but could be accessible to the public in a few years.
Her message: In addition to traditional psychotherapy, personalized nutrition could become an essential pillar in the treatment of mental health disorders.
Menopause and Its Challenges for Nutrition and Mental Health
In the second presentation, Kathrin Friedrichs explored menopause, which, with its increasing relevance in the demographic shift, demands new approaches: by 2050, 1.65 billion people worldwide will be in the postmenopausal phase. According to a European study involving 7,164 women, 90% experience physical symptoms, and 55% experience psychological symptoms during menopause.
Menopause, marked by hormonal changes, often brings psychological and cognitive symptoms such as mood swings, depression, and memory problems. Friedrichs explained how fluctuations in estrogen levels during perimenopause and estrogen deficiency in postmenopause affect brain function and mood.
Nutrition During Menopause
Friedrichs emphasized that personalized nutrition can help alleviate symptoms and minimize long-term health risks.
Although there is scientific evidence relating to cognitive and psychological symptoms, these are often considered general dietary recommendations.
The Mediterranean diet, rich in polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids, is particularly beneficial for supporting cognitive and mental health. According to a Korean study, a high intake of whole-grain rice, legumes, vegetables, fruits, and fish can reduce the risk of depressive symptoms in middle-aged individuals. In contrast, the consumption of ultra-processed foods (convenience food) is associated with more severe symptoms.
This isn’t surprising – but what personalized nutrition approaches are available?
- Phytoestrogens have a molecular structure similar to estrogens and bind to estrogen receptors. Their effects on mental health and cognitive abilities are still under debate.
- Plant extracts such as St. John’s Wort, black cohosh, and ginseng have shown potential effectiveness in studies, but further research is needed, particularly regarding dosage and interactions with medications.
- The gut-brain axis and the estrobolome—a group of gut bacteria that regulate circulating estrogen—offer exciting approaches for nutritional interventions. Modulating the gut microbiome influences estrogen levels. One study showed that a probiotic preparation increased serum estrogen concentrations in peri- and postmenopausal women. This could pave the way for therapeutic applications.
Her conclusion: Every woman experiences menopause individually. Personalized nutrition, based on genotype, lifestyle, and medical factors, could play a crucial role in managing menopause and preventing or treating related conditions.
A Case for Personalized Approaches
The presentations by Ledunger and Friedrichs impressively demonstrated that personalized nutrition can promote not only physical but also mental health. However, to develop scientifically sound recommendations, further intensive research is needed, particularly long-term studies targeting specific groups.
The event made one thing clear: A new era in nutrition has begun—with personalized approaches that consider the human being as a whole.
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Disclaimer
For legal reasons, we note that some of the statements mentioned above require further research and studies to be scientifically validated. Therefore, not all statements can currently be recognized by conventional medicine.
References:
- Joanna Ledunger. “Personalized Nutrition for the Treatment of Mental Illness”. Lecture in the “Nutrition Dialogue” series at the DHBW (Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg) Heilbronn, 12.11.2024, unpublished.
- Kathrin Friedrichs. “Focus on Menopause: Personalized Nutrition for the Relief of Psychological and Cognitive Symptoms”. Lecture in the “Nutrition Dialogue” series at the DHBW (Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg) Heilbronn, 12.11.2024, unpublished.