Adult Health

Depression Linked to Type 2 Diabetes Risk?

Written by andy

Being sad can increase your risk of health problems!

Diabetes is one of the most serious problems Americans face today. It’s estimated that roughly 21 million people are diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, but an additional 8.1 million people are living with undiagnosed diabetes. That’s almost 10% of the U.S. population suffering from a potentially life-threatening disease!

Scientists are constantly doing new research to find ways to reduce your diabetes risk, determine preventive measures, and discover new risk factors. According to one new study, one of the main risk factors for diabetes may have nothing to do with the way you eat!

A team of Canadian researchers have discovered that people with depression have a higher risk of developing diabetes, especially if they already have the metabolic risk factors that lead to diabetes.

Over the course of 4 ½ years, the Canadian scientists examined over 2,500 people in Quebec, all between the ages of 40 and 69. They divided the subjects into four different groups:

  1. People with no health conditions
  2. People with metabolic risk factors for diabetes (high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity)
  3. People with depression
  4. People with both depression and the metabolic risk factors

Those with no health conditions were, obviously, the ones least likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes. Those with ONLY depression also had a very low risk of developing the metabolic disorders.

Those with the metabolic risk factors, however, had a 400% higher chance of developing diabetes than those with either depression or no health conditions. But the real kicker came from the fourth group! People who suffered from depression and metabolic risk factors had a 600% higher chance of developing diabetes than healthy people.

How is it that the sum of these two factors (depression and metabolic risk factors) is greater than the whole? It may be the result of the effects of depression…

READ MORE: 6 Herbs for Healing Depression

When you are depressed, you are far less likely to take care of your health. You may end up over-eating or bingeing on food in a vain attempt to feel better. You are less likely to adhere to your regimen of medications that is intended to treat your metabolic conditions. Depressed people also have a harder time getting exercise, quitting smoking, and making smart diet choices.

All of these things contribute to the worsening of your metabolic risk factors. As you deal with your depression, your  lack of health management can cause the metabolic risk factors to be exacerbated, leading to further health problems. In many cases, the worsening of your health can cause the depression to worsen as well, and the vicious cycle is perpetuated.

Not only that, but some types of depression can actually manifest physical changes in your metabolism. Your depression may cause your metabolic function to slow down, leading to high blood pressure, weight gain, and problems metabolizing glucose. This only makes your metabolic conditions worse. If you try to take medication to deal with the depression, you may find that your medication can cause weight gain–a common side effect of antidepressants.

Of course, not all types of depression are the same, and not all patients who suffer from depression are going to end up with diabetes. However, understanding the link between the two problems is the key to treating not just one, but both! Once doctors understand how depression can increase the risk of diabetes and vice versa, they can take steps to treat both problems at the same time. It won’t be easy, but it can be done.

About the author

andy

Some people get lucky and are born with fit, toned bodies. Andy Peloquin is not one of those people... Fitness has come hard for him, and he's had to work for it. His trials have led him to becoming a martial artist, an NFPT-certified fitness trainer, and a man passionate about exercise, diet and healthy living. He loves to exercise--he does so six days a week--and loves to share his passion for fitness and health with others.

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