The metabolic syndrome is a condition characterised by insulin resistance. The insulin resistance associated with the metabolic syndrome can cause significant changes in the body because the hormone insulin can affect most cells. Evidence suggests that insulin resistance is associated with changes to the neural circuitry in the body and this may be a cause of low mood and depression. Studies have investigated the association between the metabolic syndrome and depression and whether the development of metabolic syndrome increases the risk of depression. Findings from these studies suggest that higher than normal cortisol levels, a marker for stress, and low mood, are both associated with the development of the metabolic syndrome. High cortisol levels are a significant negative health outcome and often associated with low mood. Therefore it may be that the development of the metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for low mood because the downstream changes of the disorder are an elevation in chronic stress levels, which in turn negatively affects the brain and the mood of the individual.
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