title: Real food matters for health.
abstract: Human health, an enigma that has been a part of human existence from its origins, is founded on the intake of food. Holistic health is concerned with issues of the body, soul/mind, and spirit. Using concepts from ecology, this article explores the relationships between food, nutrients, whole food diets, and health. An analysis of studies linking whole food to health and depressive disorders are presented in an attempt to move food and diets into mainstream mental health discussions. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that real food matters for the health of all and is of vital consequence for improving the chronic conditions plaguing modern society's mental health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Liberty UniversityOnline, Lynchburg, VA, USA. shcrocker@liberty.edu
authors.forename: Susan H V
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Crocker
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004463:Ecology; D004782:Environmental Health; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005503:Food Additives / Q000009:adverse effects; D005518:Food Preferences; D006293:Health Promotion; D006694:Holistic Health; D018939:Holistic Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D009753:Nutritive Value; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D005503:Food Additives