Unveiling the Connection: Liver Health, Inflammation, and Mood in the Golden Years
As we age, maintaining both physical and mental health becomes increasingly important. A recent study has shed light on the intriguing connection between liver health, inflammation, and mood in older adults. The study focused on markers of inflammation and liver function, which are known to increase with age and are also associated with symptoms of depression.
The study analyzed data from 284 healthy older adults, aged 60-75, as part of the Australian Research Council Longevity Intervention (ARCLI). The researchers looked at mood symptoms and measured levels of inflammatory markers and liver enzymes in blood samples. The results revealed a significant relationship between these markers and mood symptoms. Specifically, higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammation marker, were associated with negative mood scores, but only when levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), a liver enzyme, were also high.
Interestingly, these relationships were observed in healthy older adults who were experiencing the biological impact of aging but did not have clinical depression symptoms. This suggests that oxidative stress or other biological mechanisms that occur with aging might play a role in the development of depression. The findings highlight the importance of lifestyle interventions in promoting both physical and mental health as we age.
