Research
What we know. What we don't. What we're studying.
Every protocol Beckie uses is grounded in nutritional psychiatry research. We tag every claim by evidence strength so you always know where we stand.
Our approach
Evidence-graded, not cherry-picked.
We use a three-tier evidence system: Strong (multiple RCTs), Emerging (observational + mechanistic data), and Early (animal or in vitro only). Beckie only acts on Strong or Emerging evidence. Early signals are disclosed but not acted upon.
Key references
What the research says.
Our protocols draw from the work of Felice Jacka (SMILES trial), Drew Ramsey MD, Uma Naidoo MD, and the broader nutritional psychiatry literature. We maintain a living reference list below.
Selected evidence — updated quarterly
These are the key studies informing Simmerstate's protocols. Each is graded by evidence strength: Strong (multiple RCTs), Emerging (observational + mechanistic), or Early (preliminary data).
A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (SMILES trial)
A Mediterranean-style diet intervention significantly reduced depressive symptoms vs. social support alone. Effect size comparable to antidepressants in mild-to-moderate depression.
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
EPA-dominant omega-3 supplementation shows consistent antidepressant effects across 26 RCTs (n=2,160). DHA alone is less effective than EPA or combined formulations.
Magnesium for treatment of depression: a systematic review
Dietary magnesium deficiency is associated with elevated anxiety and depression risk. Supplementation shows benefit in subclinical deficiency, particularly in sleep-onset anxiety.
The gut microbiome in neurological disorders
Establishes gut-brain axis mechanisms linking dietary microbiome changes to mood, cognition, and anxiety via vagus nerve and serotonin precursor pathways.
Nutritional psychiatry: towards improving mental health by what you eat
Reviews dietary patterns, specific nutrients, and gut microbiota as modifiable factors in depression and anxiety. Proposes nutritional psychiatry as a formal adjunct to standard care.
Want to go deeper?
The library is growing.
Simmerstate is building a living reference database — every claim tagged by evidence strength, every protocol mapped to food. It’s available inside the app today.
Open Simmerstate