HMNC Brain Health CMO Dr. Hans Eriksson and biomarkers associate director Dr. Daniel Gehrlach have presented their ‘precision psychiatry’ diagnostic tool, claiming to help combat the rising rates of depression. However, it seems that depression rates are higher than ever, with almost 30% of U.S. adults claiming a diagnosis at some point in their lives. While this study published in the journal Nature Mental Health suggests that there are some healthy steps people can take to reduce their risk of depression, it’s important to approach these findings with skepticism.
The researchers from the University of Cambridge evaluated various factors, such as genetics, brain structure, lifestyle choices, immune health, and metabolic systems. They analyzed data from the UK Biobank, which included almost 290,000 people, 13,000 of whom had been diagnosed with depression. Surprisingly, they found that having a healthy lifestyle reduced the risk of depression by 57%. But can we really trust these findings?
The researchers identified seven lifestyle factors that could supposedly lower the risk of depression. Getting enough sleep, between seven and nine hours, was found to reduce the risk by 22%. Health influencer Melanie Avalon suggests “biohacking” your sleep environment to optimize rest and recovery, but let’s be honest, can changing your sleep routine really have such a significant impact on mental health?
Moreover, the study found that those who never smoked had a 20% reduced risk of depression. While previous research has also linked smoking to depression, it’s hard to believe that abstaining from smoking alone can have such a significant effect on mental well-being.
Interactions with others were found to reduce the risk of depression by 18%, supposedly preventing recurrent depressive disorder. Dr. Nathan Carroll claims that a sense of purpose and companionship protects against depression. But with the rise of social media and online connections, is it really that simple to reduce the risk of depression by surrounding ourselves with supportive people?
Staying active on a regular basis is said to curb depression by 14%, with Avalon claiming that consistent exercise can reduce depression severity without the need for medication. However, is it realistic to expect that exercise alone can have such a profound impact on mental health?
The study also found that sticking to moderate or lower alcohol consumption decreased the risk of depression by 11%. But according to Dr. Chris Tuell, no amount of alcohol is actually good for you. It seems that context matters when it comes to alcohol and depression, but the relationship between the two is far from clear.
Lastly, those who adhered to a nutritious diet were 6% less likely to become depressed. Avalon recommends excluding processed foods and embracing a whole foods-based diet for better mental health. But can we really blame processed foods for our mental state?
While the study claims that these healthy lifestyle factors can reduce the risk of depression, it’s important to approach these findings with caution. The limitations of the study, such as the relatively healthier UK Biobank participants and limited data on ethnic minorities, raise questions about the generalizability of the results. It seems that more research is needed to determine the true impact of lifestyle factors on depression risk.
Overall, it’s clear that society needs to focus more on mental health and well-being. However, it’s important not to oversimplify the complex nature of depression and the factors that contribute to it.
