The influence of amino acid metabolites and dietary protein on mental health and brain function

Abstract

　Health is defined as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" by WHO. Based on this definition, brain health must be a key for health, because all our output actions, experiences, and emotions are related with brain functions. The most important input for brain health is the ingestion of foods and sufficient nutrients. Recently, we and others have suggested that the altered amino acid metabolites by inflammation may influence brain function and caused mental health issues. Additionally, proteins are the main building blocks of our body. They are used to make muscles, organs, enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, and various molecules that serve important functions. Recent studies have supported the evidence that protein intake and their quality are important for health, especially, with elderly people to maintain their muscles and brain function.

　The human brain needs a substantial portion of the body's total nutrients intake. Therefore, nutrients strongly influence both brain structure and function, and nutrition also affects neurodevelopment for the next generation. Quality of eating is important for quality of life, and we should not forget that mental health and brain functions maintain with salutary diets and a dietary lifestyle.