2026 Volume 2 Issue 1 Pages 424-430
Background: Nutritional psychiatry highlights potential associations between nutritional, metabolic factors and psychiatric symptoms; however, structured approaches remain insufficiently described w hen supplementation is difficult to sustain.
Case: A woman in her 40s with persistent depressive disorder presented with depressed mood, fati gue, and anxiety. At initial evaluation, total protein was 6.7 g/dL, hemoglobin 11.8 g/dL, ferritin 4 2.4 ng/mL, 25-hydroxyvitamin D 17.0 ng/mL, and body mass index 19.9. Iron, zinc, B-complex v itamins, and vitamin D supplementation was discontinued due to psychological resistance and famil y-related factors. Dietary modification emphasizing high protein intake and iron-containing foods w as implemented. After one year, ferritin increased to 59.3 ng/mL and hemoglobin to 13.0 g/dL, ac companied by symptomatic improvement. Continuous glucose monitoring later suggested nocturnal and early-morning low trends; adjunctive snacks were introduced, and anxiety decreased. At nine years, total protein reached 7.6 g/dL, ferritin 110.5 ng/mL, and the Self-Rating Depression Scale s core improved to 24, indicating remission.
Conclusion: In this single case, sustained dietary intervention combined with longitudinal monitori ng of laboratory indicators may be associated with improvement in persistent depressive symptoms when supplementation cannot be maintained.
