For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
The connection between good food and improved mood

While mental disorders often have multifactorial causes, the connection between diet and mental health may hold a significant key to their prevention and management, explains dietitian Sarah MacAvoy
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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1. Food & Mood Centre. foodandmoodcentre.com.au
2. Ministry of Health. Annual Data Explorer 2022/23: New Zealand Health Survey.
3. Jacka FN, O'Neil A, Opie R, et al. A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the ‘SMILES’ trial). BMC Med 2017;15(1):23.
4. Malhi GS, Bell E, Bassett D, et al. The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2021;55(1):7–117.
5. Ministry of Health. Eating and Activity Guidelines for New Zealand Adults. Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Health; 2020.