Photo caption: UC Innovation medal winner Professor Julia Rucklidge is on a mission to revolutionise mental health care through a food-first approach.
Named in the top 100 Most Influential Women in Aotearoa New Zealand on three occasions, Professor Rucklidge, from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) Faculty of Science, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 UC Innovation Medal for her contributions to nutritional psychiatry over the last 20 years.
Originally hailing from Toronto, Canada, Professor Rucklidge’s academic path led her to McGill University in Montreal for her undergraduate studies, followed by a master's and PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Calgary. At a crossroads between clinical practice and research, she and her husband decided to embark on an adventure to Aotearoa New Zealand, seizing a job opportunity at the University of Canterbury. "We thought we might be here for a couple of years, but here we are, 24 years later. It has been an amazing journey," she recalls.
Her interest in psychology began in her teenage years, inspired by Oliver Sacks’ groundbreaking book The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, which delves into unusual neurological conditions. "I absolutely found that fascinating," Professor Rucklidge says. Her curiosity deepened as she witnessed mental health challenges within her own family, realising that despite receiving the best-established treatments, many people were not getting better. "That made me think, maybe I could get into this field and see if I could make a difference."
Her research focuses on the relationship between diet and mental health, specifically investigating whether micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals can improve mental health outcomes. Fifteen years of rigorous studies in her lab and globally have demonstrated the benefits of nutrient supplementation given in doses much higher than what we can obtain from a Western diet. "In controlled trials, we’ve consistently found that micronutrients outperform placebos in treating conditions like ADHD, depression, and anxiety," she explains. " We’ve even seen positive impacts on things like antenatal depression as well as day-to-day problems that affect many of us, such as stress, irritability and emotional dysregulation."
Professor Rucklidge remains driven by the real-life impact of her research. "The emails and calls from people who say our work has changed their lives keep me going," she says. One standout case involved a young man with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), whom she had been treating using cognitive behaviour therapy without much progress. "I had heard about a similar case in Canada where micronutrients had worked, so I suggested the nutrients to the family, with the caveat that I had no idea if it would help. Two weeks later, his symptoms had lessened substantially. It was the kind of significant change where you pay attention," she recalls. "We did an 'on-off' trial with the nutrients, and his symptoms would come and go in response to the treatment. That was a pivotal moment that led me to conduct larger studies."
Professor Rucklidge is not content with just treating mental health issues—she is also an advocate for prevention. "We need to shift focus towards getting people to eat well before mental health problems develop," she says. One of her key areas of interest is maternal nutrition, as she believes that "if you can get it right during pregnancy, you can set a child on a much healthier life trajectory”. She adds, "I always say that my work is not about supplementing the world but about putting food first. Half of the calories people consume come from ultra-processed products, which are nutrient poor. We need to make real food affordable for everyone."
She is optimistic about the future, especially when it comes to engaging with the community and fostering wellbeing at UC. She teaches "The Science and Practice of Wellbeing" where students participate in hands-on activities such as gardening and cooking. "It’s about teaching skills that can help them become more resilient," she explains. "Because when adversity comes—and it will come—we want our students to be able to cope better."
As she reflects on her career, Professor Rucklidge acknowledges that her journey has been challenging, but it has also been deeply rewarding. She advises aspiring researchers to persist. "If you want to do something meaningful, it’s going to be tough, and there will be obstacles. But those obstacles are opportunities to change minds and position your work so that it’s embraced rather than dismissed."
"The journey has been worth it because of the huge number of lives we’ve already had an impact on."
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 - Good health and wellbeing.
