Can blood tests predict future anxiety and depression?

Photo by Karolina Kaboompics on Pexels

Can blood tests from your standard annual physical predict your future risk of anxiety and depression?

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open looked at the bloodwork of 211,200 people - they were undergoing work-related health screenings - in Sweden between 1985 and 1996.

The researchers found that those individuals who had high levels of glucose (blood sugar) and high triglycerides (fat in your blood) had an increased risk of being later diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or a stress-related disorder.

They also found that high levels of HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) were associated with a reduced risk of being diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder.

Results were similar across men and women.

Correlation, not causation

Let me be clear. These results do not indicate that having high blood sugar, triglycerides, or “bad” cholesterol causes depression, anxiety, or stress-related disorders.

But they suggest they are correlated, that they are in a mutual relationship, that they show up together.

Why might that be?

The authors suggest that these blood markers indicate dysregulation of metabolism, or the presence of metabolic syndrome, which, in turn, increases your risk of psychiatric disorders (and cardiovascular disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes, I might add).

Of note, Robert Lustig, in his latest book, ‘Metabolical’, suggests that 88% of Americans are suffering from some sort of metabolic dysfunction. (Check out the criteria (3 out of 5 specified conditions) to explore whether you may be one of them …)

Body … and mind

Our minds and bodies are more connected than we know.

Our physical health, no doubt, affects our mental health. And vice versa: when we’re struggling emotionally, it shows up in our bodies.

And, our metabolic health - the ability of our bodies to digest and absorb nutrients from the food we eat without unhealthy spikes in blood sugar, insulin, blood fat, and inflammation - is one of the most important and fundamental factors for us to be able to live long, healthy, vibrant lives, free of both mental and physical disease.

If this message resonates, let me know! I’d love to hear from you! I read and respond to every message (yes, really!).

If you want to discuss it with others, please share it!

And, if you want more, be sure to subscribe!