Scientists from the University of Edinburgh have found that bipolar depression is associated with metabolic disorders in the body, and not just with emotions and mental state. This is reported by The Guardian.
Bipolar depression is a long-term depressed state that occurs cyclically in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). BD is characterized by alternating periods of depression (depression) and mania (elevated mood and excitement). In bipolar disorder, manic episodes occur less frequently than depressive episodes and are shorter in duration.
Bipolar depression should be seen as a disorder of the body's energy regulation rather than just an emotional problem, scientists say. A new Centre for Metabolic Psychiatry has opened at the University of Edinburgh to study the links between bipolar depression and metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity, and the impact of circadian rhythm disruption on the condition.
The researchers noted that the systems of energy distribution, metabolism, and response to light are interconnected in the human body. Failures in the functioning of these systems can lead to bipolar depression. Scientists suggested that this disorder can be eliminated by methods of therapy that affect physiological processes.
One of the ways of such influence is the correction of diet. One of the promising areas of research is the study of the effect of ketogenic (high-fat) diet on the symptoms of bipolar depression. Some studies have shown that active consumption of meat, eggs, fish and nuts in combination with the rejection of carbohydrate products (cereals, vegetables, fruits, sweets) stabilizes the mental state.
