My Diabetes Information Blogs
Before blaming depression for diabetes, take a good look at stress hormones
04/25/07
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This week the Archives of Internal Medicine published the results of a study that found that 60 percent of senior citizens diagnosed with depression later go on to develop diabetes. A lot of newspapers are publishing headlines stating that depression causes diabetes. This could be partially true, but we think it is too early to state it with such certainty. It could be the same event or events that cause both depression and diabetes.
Even the researchers themselves are pointing to stress and the hormones it sends coursing through the body. "When you're depressed or under stress your body is trying to keep glucose in the bloodstream because it needs it for immediate energy," lead author Mercedes Carnethon noted. "So, it's blocking insulin action. And you may even be producing more glucose because your body thinks it needs the sugar."
So, if you know someone who suffers from depression, encourage them not to worry about developing diabetes just because they are clinically depressed. Encourage them to look at their lifestyle, have a little more fun, improve their nutrition, and engage in other healthy activities.
To understand more about stress and diabetes we invite you to read these two blogs:
Blog: Immediate Adrenaline Stress vs Chronic Cortisol Stress in Diabetes