Metabolic & Mental Health Closely Linked

New research highlights the significant impact of metabolic health on the brain and its potential influence on mental well-being. A study involving over 200,000 adults found that elevated glucose and triglyceride levels, along with low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, were linked to an increased risk of future depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders.

“These results suggest that individuals with metabolic issues may benefit from closer monitoring for psychiatric disorders,” said Charilaos Chourpiliadis, MD, from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, leading the research team.

The study, published online on April 2 in JAMA Network Open, examined data from 211,200 adults (58% men) enrolled in the Apolipoprotein-Related Mortality Risk cohort. The team analyzed how blood biomarkers related to carbohydrate, lipid, and apolipoprotein metabolism correlated with the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. The participants had an average age of 42 years at the start of the study.

Over an average follow-up period of 21 years, 16,256 participants were diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or stress-related disorders. High glucose (hazard ratio [HR], 1.30) and triglyceride levels (HR, 1.15) were linked to a higher risk, while high HDL levels (HR, 0.88) were associated with a lower risk.

Findings

The findings remained consistent across separate analyses of depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders and were similar for both men and women. Additionally, nested case-control analyses revealed that individuals with these mental health conditions had higher levels of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, and apolipoprotein B in the years leading up to their diagnoses compared to controls.

Christopher M. Palmer, MD, of the Metabolic and Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School, commented that this is one of the largest longitudinal studies examining metabolic biomarkers and the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. He emphasized the importance of ruling out the possibility that poor mental health leads to unhealthy lifestyle choices that affect metabolic health.

“This research confirms the link between metabolic and mental health,” Palmer said. “It raises the question of whether improving metabolic health could prevent mental disorders. More research is needed, but adopting a healthier diet, getting good sleep, and exercising may benefit both physical and mental health.”

The study was funded by the EU Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Action Grant. Chourpiliadis reported no relevant disclosures, while Palmer is the author of the book "Brain Energy," published by Penguin Random House.