New study links poor metabolism to mental illness | Insurance Business USA Reinsurance New study links poor metabolism to mental illness
Dietary changes offer new treatment avenues
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Written by Mav Rodriguez
A growing body of research is documenting the link between metabolic health and mental illness, suggesting that metabolic dysfunction, particularly insulin resistance, may play an important role in the development and management of mental illness. Masu.
Findings from Swiss Re’s UK Disability Income Compensation Claims Audit found that 94% of claimants with a BMI of 35 or above who had been unemployed for more than a year reported mood disorders or depressive symptoms, which could be linked to metabolic problems. A potential association with disability has been noted. mental health.
Debbie Smith, chief medical officer at Swiss Re, said metabolic psychiatry focuses on how metabolic imbalances caused by things like poor diet and insulin resistance affect mental health. He explained that it is a developing field. Insulin plays an important role not only in physical health but also in brain function. This may be why insulin resistance impairs the brain’s ability to efficiently utilize glucose, which can lead to cognitive and mental health problems.
Research shows that mental health conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder may be associated with this metabolic dysfunction. Traditional treatments for mental illness focus on balancing brain chemicals, but new research suggests the real problem may be how the brain processes energy. It is suggested that.
For example, a Stanford University study is investigating how a low-carb ketogenic diet can help patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and early results show promise.
Smith said this approach challenges the long-held belief that mental health disorders are purely chemical or genetic. Rather, some researchers, such as Harvard University psychiatrist Dr. Christopher Palmer, argue that mental disorders can be understood as metabolic disorders of the brain. Treatments aimed at improving metabolic health, such as dietary changes, may lead to better outcomes for patients.
As Smith noted, support for this research is growing, with organizations such as the Baszucki Foundation funding clinical trials exploring ketogenic treatments for serious mental health conditions. Researchers in Australia and Switzerland are currently investigating how dietary interventions can help treat depression and bipolar disorder.
As research advances, experts believe that addressing metabolic dysfunction may provide new avenues for treating mental health disorders, potentially providing an alternative or complement to pharmaceutical solutions. .
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