Queensland researchers have discovered a strong link between gut health and depression.
A study by Brisbane-based QIMR Berghofer looked at the genetic relationship between depression and cardiovascular, metabolic, gastrointestinal and immune disorders.
“While all four were genetically linked to depression, gastrointestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, gallstone disease and peptic ulcer disease showed the strongest association,” QIMR Berghofer said in a statement.
The study, published in Nature Genetics this week, found that the genetic risk factors linked to these physical illnesses overlapped with almost half of those involved in depression.
It reinforced that physical illnesses can contribute substantially to poor health outcomes in people with depression, who die up to 12 years earlier than those without the condition.
Lead author Damian Woodward said the findings highlighted the importance of looking beyond the brain when treating depression.
“We found gastrointestinal diseases had the strongest shared genetic relationship with depression, confirming that the gut-brain axis plays a key role in why depression commonly occurs alongside physical illness,” Mr Woodward said.
“The gut is often referred to as the second brain, sharing many of the same signalling chemicals and containing a high number of nerve cells.”
Head of QIMR Berghofer’s Translational Neurogenomics Laboratory Professor Eske Derks said the findings could help improve outcomes for people living with depression and other health conditions.
“People with depression often experience a range of serious physical illnesses,” she said.
“By better understanding the biological pathways linking these conditions, we hope to identify new treatment opportunities and help reduce the heavy health burden associated with depression.”
The full paper is available here.
