According to a recent study, poor organ health can lead to deteriorating mental health by causing changes in the brain that may contribute to or exacerbate conditions such as depression and anxiety. This research highlights the interconnectedness of brain, body, and lifestyle.

Lead author Ye Ella Tian, a research fellow at The University of Melbourne, Australia, explained, “By analyzing brain imaging and clinical data from over 18,000 individuals, we were able to identify multiple pathways through which poor physical health of organ systems impacts mental health, with the brain acting as a mediating factor.”

The study, published in Nature Mental Health, explored how the health of various body systems—including the lungs, heart, liver, as well as those related to metabolism and immunity—affects mental health. Data from the UK Biobank revealed that among the over 18,000 participants, more than 10,000 had been diagnosed with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.

The researchers found that poorer health in the seven organ systems analyzed was significantly associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. They observed that while the degree of brain mediation varied across different organ systems, the brain generally played a strong mediating role, particularly with the musculoskeletal and immune systems.

The study also considered how lifestyle factors such as exercise, diet, alcohol consumption, education, and socioeconomic status impact mental health through their effects on physical health and brain function. “Our findings suggest that behaviors like physical activity, adequate sleep, and a healthy diet can improve mental health by influencing the physiological function of both organ and brain systems,” the authors noted.

This research underscores the importance of integrating body and lifestyle measures into mental health studies. According to James Cole from University College London, “It’s exciting to see these results as they highlight the value of combining data from various aspects of health.” Tian added, “Our work provides a comprehensive understanding of how brain, body, lifestyle, and mental health are interconnected.”