Diabetes and Depression - WHICH CAME FIRST?

Cross-sectional studies have found a link between having diabetes and being depressed, but it is not clear if depression leads to diabetes or if diabetes leads to depression. The Health, Ageing and Body Composition Study followed 2,522 older adults for an average of 5.9 years to see how having diabetes was associated with the development of depression. At the start of the study, 597 of the participants had diabetes, but none of the participants were initially diagnosed as having depressive symptoms. Researchers found that people with daibetes had a 30% higher risk of developing depressive symptoms than people who did not have diabetes and a 91% higher risk of recurrent depressive mood. The increased risk of depression was mostly seen among people with poorly controlled blood glucose levels.

Source: Prevention, August 2007

Did You Know?????

• An MP3 player may interfere with a pacemaker if its within 15 cms.
• People with symptoms of depression are about 60% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who don't have symptoms.
• Cherry juice mixed with apple juice can reduce exercise-induced muscle pain.

***Source - Reader's Digest November 2007***