Fat from Fast Food passes into the brain and promotes depression

The consumption of Fast Food and depression?

So-called Fast Food is unhealthy and contributes to weight gain. Researchers found that the consumption of Fast Food can additionally lead to fat gets in our brain and depression.

In a recent study by the University of Glasgow, it was found that the consumption of Fast Food causes fat to enter our brain. This seems to lead to depression. The results of the study were published in the English journal “Translational Psychiatry”.

The consumption of Fast Food can cause fatty acids reach our brain, which favors the formation of depression. (Image: Alexander Raths/fotolia.com)

Saturated fatty acids get into the brain

The current research work suggests that saturated fatty acids can actually enter the bloodstream in the brain. There, they alter the function of a part of the brain, where our emotions controls (the Hypothalamus). This leads to an increase of depressive symptoms. The study was carried out only in mice, but the researchers believe that the results can explain the links between Depression and obesity. It pointed, for example, that antidepressants do overweight people are less effective than in people with a normal weight. The researchers come to the conclusion that the Obesity is an additional factor that causes Depression, where the fat-rich diet is to blame.

What is depression?

While it is completely normal that people feel from time to time, bad to feel people with depression may be weeks or even months unhappy. Depression are quite common and can affect anyone at any age. Approximately every tenth person is likely to develop sometime in the course of his life depression. Symptoms and effects of depression vary. Concerned can be, for example, constantly angry, and totally hopeless feel, or the General interest in activities or things to lose, and liked you earlier, actually. It can also lead to physical symptoms such as sleep disturbances, fatigue, loss of appetite, or the sex is impaired driving. In some cases, depression can even effect physical pain. In extreme cases, Sufferers develop depression, thoughts of suicide. Traumatic events can trigger depression, and people with cases of depression in the family are exposed to a higher risk of developing the disease.

Special antidepressants for overweight people?

The study mice that had a diet that up to 60 percent of saturated and unsaturated fats contained was looking for. The researchers found that parts of the fat (saturated fatty acids) were actually through the bloodstream to the brain. The results of the study could affect in the future the use of antidepressants, so that may require special antidepressants for overweight and obese persons are used, which are more suitable for these people. The current research work could also explain how and why obesity with depression, and how patients with these diseases may be better treated, stress the authors of the study.

Reducing fat intake leads to many advantages

Many people eat fatty foods when you are sad or in a bad mood, by eating to cheer up. In the long run, this can affect the mood negatively. It has long been known that reducing fat intake leads to many health benefits, and the current research suggests that a reduced intake of fat also leads to an improved mood. (as)