The best diet and supplements to support brain health during TMS  (transcranial magnetic stimulation) are those that reduce inflammation, stabilize mood, and promote neuroplasticity. 

During TMS therapy, your brain is actively working to rewire itself, forming new connections, strengthening circuits, and recalibrating ways that regulate mood. Certain nutrients fuel this process, while others can interfere. From omega-3 fatty acids to magnesium-rich foods and gut-supporting probiotics, the right nutritional choices may enhance the outcomes of TMS and support long-term recovery from depression or other mental health conditions.

How Does Nutrition Affect the Brain During TMS?

TMS promotes underactive areas of the brain, most commonly the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is important in mood regulation. For the brain to respond to this stimulation fully, however, it needs the right internal environment. One that’s well-nourished, chemically balanced, and primed for neuroplasticity.

• Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to form new neural connections and pathways. TMS enhances this process by increasing the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports neuron survival and growth. 
• To produce BDNF efficiently,  the body needs adequate levels of specific nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and B vitamins.
• Nutritional deficiencies can impair neurotransmitter synthesis, increase inflammation, and reduce the brain’s ability to form new connections. All of these can potentially reduce the effectiveness of TMS.

In short, the food you eat can either amplify TMS benefits or work against them.

What the Research Shows

High-quality research demonstrates that nutrition significantly influences mood, brain function, and depression treatment outcomes:

The SMILES Trial (2017, BMC Medicine): Participants following a Mediterranean-style diet with professional guidance had significantly reduced depression scores compared to controls. Notably, 32.3% achieved remission vs. only 8% in the control group, which is a large clinical effect size (Cohen’s d = –1.16, NNT = 4.1) (1).

Omega-3s in Depression (2019 Meta-analysis, Molecular Psychiatry): Across 26 randomized controlled trials, EPA-rich formulations showed clear antidepressant effects, while DHA-dominant formulas did not (2).

N-acetylcysteine (NAC): Research links NAC to improved mood and cognitive function through antioxidant effects and glutamate regulation (3).

These findings point out that both diet and supplements influence the same brain systems targeted by TMS.

Brain-Supportive Foods

Supporting your brain with the right nutrients during TMS can make a measurable difference in how your brain responds to treatment. Whole, nutrient-dense foods and evidence-based supplements reduce inflammation, increase neurotransmitter production, improve mental health outcomes, and enhance the process of neuroplasticity, the same systems targeted by TMS.

The following foods are recommended, especially when following a TMS therapy schedule. They will help stabilize mood, regulate blood sugar, and supply the raw materials your brain needs to repair and rewire itself during TMS.

• Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel):
  • Rich in EPA and DHA, two omega-3 fatty acids critical for brain cell membrane integrity and anti-inflammatory effects.
  • Low omega-3 status is associated with increased depression severity and poor antidepressant response (4).
• Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, arugula):
  • High in folate, vitamin K, and antioxidants.
  • Folate is essential for methylation, a process tied to serotonin and dopamine synthesis.
• Berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries):
  • Contain polyphenols and flavonoids shown to support neural signaling and memory.
  • Linked to slower cognitive decline in long-term human studies (5).
• Eggs:
  • Provide choline, a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation.
  • Also a natural source of vitamin B12, often deficient in those with depressive symptoms.
• Nuts and seeds (walnuts, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds):
  • Contain healthy fats, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin E.
  • Walnuts, in particular, have been associated with improved mood in research (6).
• Fermented foods (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi):
  • Support gut-brain communication through microbiome diversity.
  • Disruptions in gut bacteria are tied to anxiety, low mood, and cognitive symptoms.
• Legumes and whole grains:
  • Supply complex carbohydrates that support serotonin balance.
  • Offer B vitamins and fiber that stabilize energy and mood throughout the day.

Supplements That May Help

Supplements are not replacements for food but can bridge nutrient gaps when diet alone is insufficient. Evidence-based options include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA):
  • EPA, in particular, has shown consistent antidepressant effects in one study (7).
• Magnesium (preferably glycinate or threonate):
  • Supports NMDA receptor regulation and BDNF expression, both key to neuroplasticity.
  • A study showed improvements in depressive symptoms within two weeks of supplementation (8).
• B-complex vitamins (B6, B9, B12):
  • Involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and homocysteine regulation.
  • Methylated forms (like methylfolate) may be better absorbed, especially in people with MTHFR gene variants.
• Vitamin D3:
  • Essential for serotonin production and neuroimmune function.
• N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC):
  • Precursor to glutathione, the brain’s most important antioxidant.
  • Regulates glutamate transmission, a mechanism also targeted by TMS.
• Probiotics (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains):
  • Improve gut-brain axis signaling.
  • May reduce low-grade inflammation and improve resilience to stress.

Always review supplements with your TMS provider, especially if you take antidepressants or mood stabilizers, since interactions can occur.

Foods to Limit or Avoid During TMS

Some foods may counteract the benefits of TMS by increasing inflammation or destabilizing mood: 

• Refined sugars and simple carbohydrates:
  • Cause rapid blood sugar fluctuations, leading to mood crashes, irritability, and fatigue.
  • Chronic high sugar intake is linked to higher rates of depression (9).
• Trans fats and ultra-processed snacks:
  • Promote systemic inflammation and are associated with worsened cognitive performance and mood (10).
  • Found in margarine, packaged baked goods, fried foods, and processed meats.
• Alcohol:
  • Acts as a central nervous system depressant.
  • Interferes with sleep architecture, reduces neuroplasticity, and negatively affects mood regulation pathways.
  • May blunt TMS outcomes by disrupting the same brain areas being stimulated.
• Excess caffeine:
  • In moderate amounts, caffeine can enhance alertness.
  • But for those with co-occurring anxiety, high caffeine intake may worsen agitation, sleep disturbances, and jitteriness.
  • Poor sleep quality reduces TMS efficacy.

Talk to a Provider About Your Diet or Supplements

Most patients wait too long. Diet often comes up after issues emerge: fatigue, side effects, or lack of progress. But early intervention is better.

Discuss nutrition and supplements with your provider if:

• You’re already taking supplements and don’t know if they’re safe or effective
• You’ve experienced sudden weight changes, digestive issues, or new food sensitivities during treatment
• Your energy remains low despite TMS sessions
• You’ve been diagnosed with anemia, vitamin D deficiency, or thyroid disorders
• You have a history of eating disorders or restrictive eating patterns

Food and supplements act as biological inputs. They directly shape brain chemistry. Like medication, they deserve professional oversight. 

Trust a Certified TMS Doctor With Your Care

The TMS Institute of Arizona is led by physicians who are certified in TMS and directly involved in every patient’s care. From evaluation to treatment planning and follow-up, our doctors stay engaged throughout the entire process. 

We don’t overlook the details. Your nutrition, supplements, medications, and lifestyle factors are considered carefully because they can influence how your brain responds to TMS. Our team uses the latest protocols, including Accelerated TMS, MeRT, and tDCS, with clinical oversight guiding every decision.

Our center in Scottsdale, Arizona serves individuals across the Phoenix area who are looking for real medical leadership. If you’re ready for care that’s grounded in experience, clinical skill, and complete attention to your mental health, contact the TMS Institute of Arizona today.

References

1. Jacka, F. N., O’Neil, A., Opie, R., Itsiopoulos, C., Cotton, S., Mohebbi, M., Castle, D., Dash, S., Mihalopoulos, C., Chatterton, M. L., Laima Brazionis, Dean, O. M., Hodge, A. M., & Berk, M. (2017). A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the “SMILES” trial). BMC Medicine, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-017-0791-y
2. Liao, Y., Xie, B., Zhang, H., He, Q., Guo, L., Mehala Subramanieapillai, Fan, B., Lu, C., & McIntyre, R. S. (2019). Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis. Translational Psychiatry, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-019-0515-5
3. Richard, Berk, M., Kalivas, P. W., Back, S. E., & Kanaan, R. A. (2022). The Potential of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) in the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders. CNS Drugs, 36(5), 451–482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-022-00907-3
4. Wani, A. L., Bhat, S. A., & Ara, A. (2015). Omega-3 fatty acids and the treatment of depression: a review of scientific evidence. Integrative Medicine Research, 4(3), 132–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2015.07.003
5. Devore, E. E., Kang, J. H., Breteler, M. M. B., & Grodstein, F. (2012). Dietary intakes of berries and flavonoids in relation to cognitive decline. Annals of Neurology, 72(1), 135–143. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.23594
6. Pribis, P. (2016). Effects of Walnut Consumption on Mood in Young Adults—A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 8(11), 668–668. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8110668
7. Wani, A. L., Bhat, S. A., & Ara, A. (2015). Omega-3 fatty acids and the treatment of depression: a review of scientific evidence. Integrative Medicine Research, 4(3), 132–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2015.07.003
8. Mahdi Moabedi, Mohammadreza Aliakbari, Shima Erfanian, & Alireza Milajerdi. (2023). Magnesium supplementation beneficially affects depression in adults with depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1333261
9. Zhang, L., Sun, H., Liu, Z., Yang, J., & Liu, Y. (2024). Association between dietary sugar intake and depression in US adults: a cross-sectional study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2018. BMC Psychiatry, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05531-7
10. Gonçalves, N. G., Ferreira, N. V., Neha Khandpur, Steele, E. M., Levy, R. B., Paulo Andrade Lotufo, Bensenor, I. M., Paulo Caramelli, Maria, S., Marchioni, D. M., & Suemoto, C. K. (2022). Association Between Consumption of Ultraprocessed Foods and Cognitive Decline. JAMA Neurology, 80(2), 142–142. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.4397