100 Series

NP 150: Mechanisms in the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (Part I)


Description
Welcome to NP 150: Mechanisms in the Diet-Mental Health Relationship Part I! This course is Part I of the final course in the Introductory Certificate in Nutritional Psychology (NP 100 Series), serves as a cornerstone in the emerging field of nutritional psychology and focuses on illuminating the mechanisms by which diet impacts the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (DMHR).

In the context of DMHR, a mechanism refers to the detailed series of events or processes at the molecular, cellular, or physiological level enacted through dietary intake. These processes involve complex biochemical pathways, molecular interactions, and cellular processes that influence our mood, cognition, and behavior and collectively contribute to our overall functioning and mental health.

By integrating perspectives from psychology, physiology, psychiatry, neuroscience, biochemistry, behavioral and social sciences, nutrition/nutrigenetics, microbiome research, and public health, this course will transform how you view the impact of dietary choices on mental well-being.

Once enrolled, you'll have 120 days to access and complete this course. Please make the most of this opportunity within this specified timeframe by downloading the Module Download Kits and taking notes as you review the materials. If you are a CNP Member, remember to apply your discount code when enrolling!

On behalf of the CNP Team, welcome to the continuation of your learning journey in nutritional psychology!

Use of Course Materials:
If you are an instructor, educator, or clinician wishing to use select figures/illustrations in your practice or courses, please contact editor@nutritional-psychology.org for permission to access up to three requested figures (You’ll be asked to provide your course syllabus or plan for using the materials. The CNP Administrators will review this plan for consideration for granting permission for their use. Permission is subject to CNP reviewer approval.

Conflict of Interest Statement/Course Support:
CNP is committed to providing equal learning opportunities for students. If your needs have not been fully met, please contact us through your online portal or at editor@nutritional-psychology.org, and we will make all necessary accommodations. Neither CNP nor the course instructors have any financial, commercial, or other conflicts of interest to disclose related to the planning, promotion, delivery, or evaluation of this continuing education course. CNP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization dedicated to facilitating the development of nutritional psychology within mental healthcare.

Continuing Education Statement:
CNP is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor Continuing Education (CE) for psychologists and mental health providers, by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) to provide CE credits for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). This course currently provides 34 CE Credits. CNP maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CNP is approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) for licensed Dietitians and Dietitians Technicians, Registered (DTRs), to receive 34 CPEU through Activity Type 742 Eligible Enduring.

Taking this Course for Continuing Education (CE/CPE) credits:
CAMFT (Instructions):
Upon completing NP 150 Part I (including the general course evaluation), please message your instructor and provide your full name and provider or license number. We will validate your course completion and issue a certificate meeting BBS criteria.

APA and CDR (Instructions):
For those of you who are licensed psychologists, Registered Dietitians (RDs), and Dietetic Technicians, Registered (DTRs), the certificate at the end of the course is sufficient. You do not need to contact us for anything additional.

How to properly cite NP 150 Part I:
Citing the whole course (NP 150):
Instructor(s). (Year). Title of course [Type of course]. Name of Platform. URL
Example: Behairy, S. F. (2024). Mechanisms in the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (DMHR) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-150/

Citing a specific module:
Instructor(s). (Year). Title of module or chapter. In Title of course [Type of course]. Name of Platform. URL
Example: Behairy, S. F. (2024). Biological mechanism in DMHR. In Mechanisms in the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (DMHR) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-150/

Intext citation:
(Behairy, 2024)
Content
  • Administrative
  • NP 150 Part I Course Syllabus
  • MODULE 1: Introduction to the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (DMHR)
  • Overview
  • Terms and Definitions
  • Module 1 Introduction
  • M1 Unit 1: Scope, Significance, and Historical Perspectives of DMHR
  • Scope of the DMHR
  • Scope of the DMHR Recap
  • Significance of the DMHR
  • Significance of the DMHR Recap
  • Historical Perspectives of the DMHR
  • Historical Perspectives of the DMHR Recap
  • M1 Unit 2: Introduction to Key Mechanisms in DMHR
  • Introduction to Key Mechanisms in DMHR
  • Biological Mechanisms
  • Neurobiological Mechanisms
  • Neuroimmunological Mechanisms
  • Psychoneuroimmunological Mechanisms
  • Psychological & Behavioral Mechanisms
  • Social and Environmental Mechanisms
  • M1 Unit 2 Recap
  • Module 1 Conclusion
  • M1 Conclusion
  • Module 1 Quiz
  • M1 References Page I
  • MODULE 2: BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS IN DMHR
  • Overview
  • Terms and Definitions
  • Module 2 Introduction
  • M2 Unit 1: Dietary and Nutrient Mechanisms
  • Essential Nutrients for Brain Function
  • Phytonutrients and Neuroactive Compounds
  • Herbal Remedies and Adaptogens
  • Nutritional Deficiencies and Mental Health
  • Early-Life Nutrition and Brain Development
  • Dietary Patterns and Mental Health
  • Unit 1 Recap
  • M2 Unit 1 Case Analysis
  • M2 Unit 2: Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis (MGBA) Mechanism
  • Mechanisms of Gut-Brain Communication
  • Gut Microbiota Evolution and Brain Development
  • Gut Microbiota, Nutrition, and Brain Health
  • Microbiota-Targeted Therapeutic Approaches
  • Unit 2 Recap
  • M2 Unit 3: Hormonal Regulation & Energy Balance Mechanism
  • Key Hormones in Energy Balance
  • Energy Balance and Mental Well-being
  • Unit 3 Recap
  • M2 Unit 3 Knowledge Check
  • Module 2 Conclusion
  • Conclusion
  • Module 2 Quiz
  • M2 References
  • Module 3: neurobiological mechanisms in the dmhr
  • Overview
  • Terms and Definitions
  • Introduction to Neurobiological Mechanisms in DMHR
  • M3 Unit 1: Brain Regions Involved in DMHR
  • Amygdala: Emotional Processing and Dietary Influence
  • Hippocampus: Memory, Learning, and Mood Regulation
  • Prefrontal Cortex: Decision-Making and Diet Management
  • Hypothalamus: Appetite Regulation and Dietary Control
  • Striatum: Reward Processing in Food Selection
  • M3 Unit 1 Recap
  • M3 Unit 1 Case Analysis
  • M3 Unit 2: Brain Mechanisms Involved in DMHR
  • Neurotransmitters: Modulating Mood, Cognition, and Behavior
  • Neurogenesis and Neural Repair: Fostering Brain Resilience
  • Neuroplasticity: Shaping the Brain's Adaptability through Diet
  • Neurotrophins: Supporting and Sustaining Brain Health
  • Neuropeptides: Influencing Mood, Stress Responses, and Eating Behavior
  • Neuroinflammation: Bridging Brain-Body Interactions through Diet
  • M3 Unit 2 Recap
  • M3 Unit 2 Case Analysis
  • Module 3 Conclusion
  • Conclusion
  • Module 3 Quiz
  • M3 References
  • Module 4: Neuroimmunological Mechanisms in DMHR
  • Overview
  • Terms and Definitions
  • Introduction to Neuroimmunological Mechanisms and DMHR
  • M4 Unit 1: The Immune System and Mental Health
  • Overview of the Immune System
  • Immune System Modulation of Brain Function
  • Immune System Dysregulation and Mental Disorders
  • Dietary Influence on Immune-Brain Interplay
  • M4 Unit 1 Recap
  • M4 Unit 1 Case Analysis
  • M4 Unit 2: Inflammation and Mental Health
  • Overview of the Inflammatory Response
  • Chronic Inflammation and Mental Disorders
  • Dietary Factors Contributing to Inflammation
  • M4 Unit 2 Recap
  • M4 Unit 2 Case Analysis
  • M4 Unit 3: Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants, and Mental Health
  • Overview of Oxidative Stress
  • Oxidative Stress and the Brain
  • Antioxidants and Their Protective Role
  • Dietary Influence on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense
  • M4 Unit 3 Recap
  • M4 Unit 3 Case Analysis
  • M4 Unit 4: Microglia and Neuroinflammation
  • Introduction to Microglia: The Brain's Immune Cells
  • Microglial Activation, Neuroinflammation, and Mental Health
  • Dietary Influence on Microglial Activation and Neuroinflammation
  • M4 Unit 4 Recap
  • M4 Unit 4 Case Analysis
  • M4 Unit 5: The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)
  • Introduction to the BBB
  • BBB Disruption and Mental Health
  • Dietary Influence on BBB Integrity and Permeability
  • M4 Unit 5 Recap
  • M4 Unit 5 Case Analysis
  • M4 Unit 6: The Mitochondria
  • Introduction to the Mitochondria
  • Mitochondrial Function and Brain Health
  • Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Mental Health
  • Dietary Factors Affecting Mitochondrial Function
  • M4 Unit 6 Recap
  • M4 Unit 6 Case Analysis
  • Module 4 Conclusion
  • Conclusion
  • Module 4 Quiz
  • M4 References
  • FINAL EXAM
  • Final Exam Instructions
  • Final Exam
  • NP 150 Course Evaluation
Completion rules
  • All units must be completed
  • Leads to a certificate with a duration: Forever