Genetically predicted processed meat, red meat intake, and risk of mental disorders: A multivariable Mendelian
Mingkun Liu1, Wenwen Wang2, Yi Chen3
1Department of radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital South Campus, Shanghai 201499, China.
Background:
Previous observational studies have highlighted potential links between the consumption of processed meat and red meat (such as pork, mutton, and beef intake) and the occurrence of mental disorders. However, it is unclear whether a causal association exists. Therefore, we employed the Mendelian randomization (MR) study to investigate the causal effects of genetically predicted processed meat and red meat on mood disorders (MD), anxiety disorders (AD), and major depressive disorder (MDD).
Methods:
Genetic instruments for processed and red meat were selected from the Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) of the UK Biobank Study. Their associations with MD (42,746 cases 254,976), AD (35,385 cases and 254,976 controls), and MDD (38,225 cases and 299,886 controls) were obtained from the FinnGen Consortium. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary method for two-sample MR analysis. Additionally, we employed complementary analysis to assess the robustness of our MR findings (eg, MR Egger and weighted median). We also conducted multiple sensitivity analyses to investigate horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity. Moreover, we performed a univariate and multivariable MR (MVMR) study to evaluate these associations.
Results:
In our univariate MR analysis, we observed that genetically predicted beef intake was associated with a reduced risk of MD [odds ratio (OR) = 0.403, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.246-0.659; PIVW = 4.428 × 10-5], AD (OR = 0.443, 95 % CI = 0.267-0.734; PIVW = 1.563 × 10-3), and MDD (OR = 0.373, 95 % CI = 0.216-0.643; PIVW = 3.878 × 10-4). After adjusting for processed meat, pork, and mutton intake in the MVMR analysis, the protective association of beef intake against MD and MDD remained. However, there was no substantial evidence indicating a significant causal relationship between processed meat, pork, and mutton intake and the occurrence of mental disorders. Furthermore, our sensitivity analysis revealed no significant evidence of horizontal pleiotropy.
Conclusion:
These findings support a causal relationship between genetically predicted beef intake and reducing the risk of MD and MDD.
Insights
Genetically predicted beef intake may reduce the risk of mood disorders (MD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). This Mendelian randomization study found no significant causal link between processed meat, pork, or mutton and mental health conditions.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Psychiatry
- Genetic Epidemiology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Observational studies suggest links between processed and red meat consumption and mental disorders.
- Causal evidence for these associations remains unclear.
- Mendelian randomization (MR) is utilized to investigate potential causal effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the causal effect of genetically predicted processed meat and red meat intake on mood disorders (MD), anxiety disorders (AD), and major depressive disorder (MDD).
- To differentiate the impact of specific red meats (beef, pork, mutton) and processed meat on mental health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using genetic instruments from the UK Biobank.
- Association data for MD, AD, and MDD were obtained from the FinnGen Consortium.
- Inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was primary, with MR Egger, weighted median, and multivariable MR (MVMR) for sensitivity and adjustment.
Main Results:
- Genetically predicted beef intake showed a reduced risk for MD, AD, and MDD.
- In MVMR analysis, beef intake remained protective against MD and MDD after adjusting for other meats.
- No significant causal associations were found for processed meat, pork, or mutton intake with mental disorders.
Conclusions:
- Findings support a causal role for beef intake in reducing the risk of mood disorders and major depressive disorder.
- Processed meat, pork, and mutton intake do not appear to have a significant causal effect on the studied mental disorders.
- Sensitivity analyses indicated no significant horizontal pleiotropy, strengthening the findings.
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