The typical onset of depression occurs between 20 and 30 years of age, which is why the results of one study are particularly imperative: Young adults with a history of depression have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

While diabetes and depression often co-exist, depression is connected with much more devastating conditions in those who suffer from diabetes as well.

The Link

Researchers compared the health records of some 33,000 patients with type 2 diabetes over age 20 with double the number of nondiabetic patients. The records were also used to determine their history of depression. Results showed:

• Those with newly diagnosed diabetes were more likely to have a history of depression, compared to those without diabetes (4.9 percent vs. 3.8 percent, respectively).

• This increased risk remained intact after taking various factors into account, although it was limited to patients in the 20-50 age range.

Several factors may contribute to the depression-diabetes connection. For instance, fluctuations in weight spurred on by poor health habits (i.e. little to no exercise) and taking antidepressants that prompt weight gain are both prime candidates.

Diabetes Care May 2005, Vol. 28, Number 5: 1063-1067

Reuters May 10, 2005

Guest Comment by Dr. Ron Rosedale:

Note from Dr. Mercola: One of the more popular articles on my Web site is a transcript of a lecture about the importance of insulin by Dr. Ron Rosedale, who is an expert on leptin physiology, a very powerful and influential hormone that has totally changed the way science looks at fat, nutrition and metabolism. I interviewed him in 2004 for the book he wrote, The Rosedale Diet, and I invited him to give a guest editorial comment on this article.

It is becoming fairly scientifically well-established that defects in leptin signaling, i.e. leptin resistance, is at the heart of the misappropriation of fat, especially in visceral tissues. This, for instance, is partially behind the involvement of leptin resistance causing hepatic insulin resistance leading to diabetes. Stress is certainly one of the factors that can cause a chronic elevation in blood glucose secondary to cortisol, with concomitant metabolism of that glucose through adipocytes causing spikes in leptin, causing leptin resistance, which then in turn causes visceral adiposity.

One of the most prevalent and powerful stresses that people subject themselves to is diet, especially a diet that causes spikes in leptin, which in turn causes surges in sympathetic nervous system response (which then can cause elevated cortisone and the initiation of a vicious cycle). This of course would be a diet high in starches and grains or excess proteins.

I do not feel that cortisol is a primary cause of excess visceral fat (as seems to be a common misconception currently with popular infomercials such as "Cortislim"), since excess visceral adiposity will continue to worsen, and even begin to initiate, after "adrenal fatigue" when cortisol levels are abnormally low (but leptin is still elevated).

Also, the association between obesity and other chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, asthma, arthritis, diabetes and dementia is certainly contributed to by chronic inflammation, and again leptin is at the center of this, being itself a cytokine and also orchestrating the manufacture within adipocytes of numerous inflammatory chemicals such as TNFa.

Gary Craig's Comments:

In addition to the influence of depression on diabetes, it may be worthwhile to broaden the perspective and include the possibility that all or most negative emotions can affect diabetes.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) practitioner John Russo has applied EFT to many diabetic patients, usually with good effect. In his case, D-106, he says the following about his diabetic client, Michael:

Michael has a more relaxed manner about him. He has lost his need for excessive chatter. Forgiving his aunt for planting the seed has calmed him ... Forgiving, accepting and respecting himself for his craving has virtually allowed him to eliminate confections from his diet ...

As for the lazy pancreas, his insulin need dropped dramatically from 3 shots per day to about 1 shot per week. His sugar level in the testing has gone from 400 to about 109 ... His leg ulcer is healing nicely and the blood pressure to his feet has increased. The leg and back pain have all but disappeared and he is able to sleep through the night. His energy level has increased dramatically.