Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 09, 2026 2 hours, 18 minutes ago
Medical News: Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder are often discussed in terms of emotions and behavior, but new research shows that the story goes much deeper into the body. Scientists have now uncovered clear biological patterns in the blood that connect these mental disorders to inflammation, metabolism, and even heart-related stress, offering fresh insight into why people with mental illness often face higher physical health risks.
Blood tests reveal how anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder are closely tied to inflammation, metabolism,
and lifestyle-related health risks
Looking Beyond the Brain
This
Medical News report focuses on a detailed study conducted by researchers from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Brazil, the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC Campinas), Brazil, and the Leopoldo Américo Miguez de Mello Research Center (CENPES/Petrobras), Brazil. The team examined whether people with different mental disorders show distinct biological changes that can be measured through simple blood tests.
The study involved 50 volunteers divided into four groups: healthy individuals, people with anxiety, people with depression, and people with bipolar disorder. Each participant completed standard mental health questionnaires and provided blood samples for analysis.
Inflammation and Mental Disorders
One of the strongest findings was the clear rise in inflammation-related markers among those with mental illness. Individuals with anxiety showed notably higher levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, both well-known indicators of ongoing inflammation in the body. These substances are commonly linked to chronic diseases such as heart problems and diabetes, suggesting that anxiety may quietly strain the body beyond mental symptoms.
Those with bipolar disorder displayed even broader biological disruptions. They had elevated inflammatory markers alongside increased levels of a cardiac enzyme called CK-MB, which is usually associated with stress on heart muscle cells. This finding may help explain why people with bipolar disorder are known to have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Depression and Vitamin Deficiency
The depression group stood out for a different reason. Researchers found significantly lower levels of vitamin D, a nutrient essential for immune balance, bone health, and brain function. Vitamin D deficiency has been increasingly linked to low mood and fatigue, and the findings suggest it may play a role in maintaining depressive symptoms.
Weight, Lifestyle, and Biological Stress
Across all mental disorder groups, participants had higher body mass index values than healthy controls. Many were overweight or obese and reported little to no physical activity. The study found that inactivity was closely tied to worse emotional scores, higher inflammation, and lower vitamin D levels. This highlights how lifestyle factors such as
exercise and weight management may strongly influence both mental and physical health.
Why These Findings Matter
By identifying distinct biological patterns for anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, the researchers suggest that mental illnesses are not purely psychological conditions. Instead, they involve a complex interaction between inflammation, metabolism, hormones, and behavior. Understanding these links could lead to more personalized treatments that combine medication, nutrition, exercise, and targeted monitoring of blood markers.
Conclusion
The study clearly shows that mental disorders leave measurable fingerprints in the body, particularly through inflammation, metabolic imbalance, and lifestyle-related factors. Recognizing these biological signals may help doctors detect hidden health risks earlier and design more effective, individualized care strategies that address both mind and body together.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Biomolecules.
https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/2/260
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