“When your metabolic health is off, it shows up in how your brain functions—from focus and energy to emotional balance,” Jodi Duval, a naturopathic physician with over 15 years of experience and owner of Revital Health, told The Epoch Times. A cross-sectional study involving approximately 10,000 men and over 13,000 women found that men and women with cardiovascular conditions had a higher risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts and depression. Men also exhibited a higher risk of stress.
The study also revealed a strong association between metabolic markers and mental health outcomes. Researchers found that for every 5-centimeter increase in waist circumference, there was an 11 percent higher risk of developing major depression over a nine-year follow-up period. Similarly, a one-unit increase in blood glucose levels was associated with a 37 percent higher risk of major depression.
Metabolic health plays a crucial role in brain function, largely because the brain relies on a continuous supply of energy in the form of glucose, Duval said. “Specific biochemical processes are at play here; insulin is needed to transport glucose into cells, and any issues with insulin sensitivity or resistance can cause major problems for brain function,” she said. Prolonged activation of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)—the fight-or-flight response—due to stress or anxiety can result in a state of chronic heightened alertness.
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