Metabolic Psychiatry: Bridging Brain and Metabolic Health
- Joanie Caron
- 31 mai 2024
- 2 min de lecture
Having a metabolic disorder like insulin resistance may double the risk of depression.
Metabolic Psychiatry, a pioneering field blending metabolic and brain health, has been gaining traction under the leadership of Dr. Shebani Sethi at Stanford University. This innovative discipline explores the profound links between metabolic health—encompassing conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease—and mental well-being, particularly in relation to disorders such as Alzheimer’s, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Recent studies suggest a startling correlation: having a metabolic disorder like insulin resistance may double the risk of depression, especially for those without prior mental health issues. The intertwined nature of metabolic and emotional disorders is evident, with a significant percentage of individuals with severe mental illnesses also suffering from metabolic syndrome.
Dr. Sethi points out that metabolic dysfunctions often precede and potentially contribute to the onset of psychiatric diseases. Early signs of disrupted energy metabolism in the brain are detectable even before the onset of symptoms, as seen in conditions like schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s, which is sometimes referred to as "type III diabetes" due to its link with insulin resistance.
At Stanford’s Metabolic Psychiatry Clinic, the first of its kind, Dr. Sethi and her team focus on treating both mental and metabolic disorders by leveraging dietary interventions to improve metabolic health. This approach not only helps manage psychiatric symptoms but also addresses their root causes. For instance, insulin resistance can lead to cerebral glucose hypometabolism, where despite abundant glucose, the brain struggles to utilize it effectively, impacting mental functions.
Nutritional strategies, particularly those emphasizing reduced reliance on glucose like the ketogenic diet, are proving beneficial. This diet shifts the brain’s energy source from glucose to ketones, which can help manage and mitigate symptoms of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Early studies in patients with schizophrenia on a ketogenic diet show promising results, including improvements in psychiatric ratings and overall life satisfaction.
Dr. Sethi cautions that while diets like the ketogenic diet can be transformative, they’re not universally suitable. Future research aims to compare its effects with other diets, like the Mediterranean diet, in managing serious mental illnesses, highlighting the importance of personalized dietary approaches to boost both metabolic and brain health.
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