Depression is usually thought about in terms of mental and emotional health, and rightly so.
Depression is a serious mental health condition that can have many contributing factors. However, researchers are also becoming increasingly interested in the relationship between metabolic health and depression.
One area receiving particular attention is insulin resistance.
So, can insulin resistance cause depression?
The answer is not as simple as yes or no.
Research shows an association between insulin resistance and depression. However, that does not mean insulin resistance is responsible for every case of depression or that improving insulin resistance will treat depression.
What it does tell us is that our mental and metabolic health are not completely separate.
What Is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate glucose in your bloodstream.
When cells become less responsive to insulin, the pancreas may produce more insulin to help maintain normal blood glucose levels. This is known as insulin resistance.
Importantly, insulin resistance can develop long before someone is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
As a result, a person may have blood glucose results within the normal range while their body is producing more insulin to compensate.
This is one reason I believe metabolic health deserves attention as part of the broader wellbeing picture.
What Does Research Say About Insulin Resistance and Depression?
Researchers have been investigating this relationship for many years.
A large meta analysis published in 2022 examined 70 studies involving more than 240,000 people. It found that insulin levels and measures of insulin resistance were higher during acute episodes of depression. However, there was considerable variation between studies.
Earlier research also found a small but significant association between depression and insulin resistance. However, some of that association became weaker after researchers accounted for factors such as body weight.
More recent research continues to find associations between depressive symptoms and metabolic changes, including insulin resistance and glucose regulation.
So there is an important connection worth investigating.
However, connection does not automatically mean causation.
Why Might Metabolic Health and Mood Be Connected?
Researchers are still working to understand exactly how these areas interact.
Several possible pathways are being investigated.
These include inflammation, insulin signalling, sleep, physical activity, stress hormones, lifestyle factors and changes in energy metabolism.
The relationship may also work in both directions.
For example, depression can affect sleep, appetite, physical activity and eating patterns. These factors can influence metabolic health.
At the same time, metabolic changes may influence biological processes associated with mood and brain function.
Therefore, instead of asking whether one condition simply causes the other, it may be more useful to consider how mental health and physical health can influence each other.
Depression and Fatigue Can Also Overlap
One area that can become confusing is fatigue.
Someone experiencing depression may feel profoundly tired, unmotivated or unable to complete everyday activities.
Metabolic problems can also be associated with fatigue and changes in energy.
This does not mean that fatigue is proof of insulin resistance.
However, if low mood is occurring alongside other metabolic concerns, it may be worth discussing the bigger picture with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Are There Other Signs Worth Paying Attention To?
Someone experiencing depression may also notice:
- Persistent fatigue
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in sleep
- Changes in body weight
- Reduced motivation
- Difficulty experiencing pleasure
- Changes in physical activity
These symptoms can occur for many reasons.
Therefore, they should not be used to diagnose insulin resistance or explain depression on their own.
However, if you are experiencing several metabolic concerns alongside changes in mood, it may be reasonable to discuss both your physical and mental health with your healthcare team.
Depression Deserves Appropriate Support
This is particularly important.
If you are experiencing depression, metabolic health should not replace appropriate mental health assessment or treatment.
Depression can be serious, and there is no single explanation that applies to everyone.
Instead, metabolic health can be considered as one part of a broader health picture where appropriate.
That is the approach I believe in.
Rather than assuming everything is psychological or everything is physical, we can recognise that the two can interact.
Looking at the Whole Person
At Purposeful Life, my role is not to diagnose or treat depression.
Instead, I provide wellbeing support and education that looks at several areas that may influence how someone feels.
Depending on the individual, this may include:
Metabolic Health Education
Helping you better understand insulin resistance, nutrition, lifestyle and factors that influence metabolic wellbeing.
Spinal Flow Technique™
A gentle, light touch approach used within my nervous system focused wellbeing work.
NLP Coaching
Exploring thoughts, beliefs, behaviours and patterns that may be affecting your wellbeing.
Breathwork
Practical breathing techniques that can support relaxation and self regulation.
PEMF and Terahertz
Complementary wellness modalities used as part of my cellular health approach.
It is not about assuming every person needs every modality.
Instead, I want to understand what is happening across the bigger picture.
Metabolic Health Support in Adelaide and the Barossa Valley
I work from two South Australian locations:
Abergeldie House, Glen Osmond
Williamstown, Barossa Valley
If you are experiencing fatigue, brain fog, cravings, changes in weight or other concerns that have made you question your metabolic health, you can learn more about insulin resistance and metabolic wellbeing at Purposeful Life.
Could Metabolic Health Be Part of Your Bigger Picture?
Understanding your metabolic health can provide another piece of information about what is happening in your body.
If any of this resonates, you can learn more about how I work with insulin resistance at Purposeful Life, or reach out directly for a free phone consultation
Call or text: 0481 877 860
Email: hello@purposefullife.com.au
Learn more: https://purposefullife.com.au/services/insulin-resistance/