Diabetes, Depression And Vitamin D-Is There A Link?

Loyola University’s Nursing School located in Chicago, IL plans to conduct a large trial to evaluate vitamin D’s effect on depression and insulin resistance in women with diabetes. Sue Penckofer, Ph.D., RN, a professor at the school remarked, “Vitamin D deficiency continues to be a problem despite the nutrient’s widely reported health benefits. “Chicago winters compound this issue when more people spend time away from sunlight, which is a natural source of vitamin D.”

People with type 2 Diabetes experience with increased resistance to insulin, also have depression, more frequently and occurs more often in women compared to men. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with depression, diabetes and other serious chronic disorders.

Recent research studies indicate vitamin D deficiency is far more widespread than previously recognized. It accounts for the difference in the distribution of certain chronic diseases such as prostate cancer and multiple sclerosis, based on location. For example, these diseases are more prominent in northern locations compared to warmer, tropical ones.

The study will give 50,000 international units of vitamin D every week for 6 months to 80 women with type 2 diabetes, from 18 to 70 with signs of depression. They will also measure their vitamin D levels and other factors three times during the study.

“There is evidence to suggest that vitamin D supplementation may decrease insulin resistance,” Dr. Penckofer commented. “If we can stabilize insulin levels, we may be able to simply and cost effectively improve blood sugar control and reduce symptoms of depression for these women.”

“Vitamin D has widespread benefits for our health and certain chronic diseases in particular. Our research may shed greater light on the role this nutrient plays in managing two conditions that impact millions of Americans. If proven to be successful, vitamin D may an important addition to care for diabetes and depression.

Looking to find the latest info on holistic health, then visit www.howtogetwellfaster.com to find the best advice on vitamin D supplementation for you.

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Depression ? Symptoms, Types And Treatment

Depression is a listed mental disorder which includes altered mood; it may occur daily associated with diminished interest or pleasure in most or all of the activities.Depression is considered to be a disorder. This is because it involves everything in the patient’s body, mood and thoughts.Anyone who has this won’t be able to eat properly, sleep well, think about oneself and practically do anything.Depression affects teenagers, pensioners and everyone in between; married people, single people, rich and poor.

Depression is an illness and has to be treated. It will not just go away. Depression can be cured by proper treatment. You are not alone. Millions of people across the world suffer from depression.

Women are about twice as likely as men in the United States to be diagnosed and treated for depression. About 20-25% of women and 12% of men will experience a serious bout of depression at least one time in their lifetimes. As for children, depression shows up equally in both boys and girls. As children begin to grow and reach the adolescence stage however, girls tend to become more depressed than boys.This gender imbalance of major depression then continues on into adulthood.

Bipolar depression is the depressed phase of a condition called bipolar disorder. In many cases, the symptom presentation of depression does not fit the criteria as described in the DSM-IV-TR. Symptoms, however, may be causing impairment in functioning. The diagnosis of depressive disorder not otherwise specified can be used in those cases. Although the type of depression informs as to prognosis and best treatment modality, in general, all types respond to both medication therapy and talk therapy.

Situational depression is just how it sounds, depression based on what is going on in your life. Have you just lost your job? Did your girlfriend just break up with you? It’s common to be depressed after these events. While therapy would be beneficial here, medication most likely would not.

People with depressive symptoms will use alcohol to self-medicate – relieve the depression symptoms, relax, get a better view on life, and escape. Many times the drinker is not even remotely aware that the depression is present, but on some level does recognize that he or she feels better, at least in the short term, with the use of alcohol. The irony is alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, so it will actually make the depression worse.

For many, treating depression will give them their life back. Through the use of medication and therapy, depression can be relieved and it may or may not return down the road. No matter what has caused the depression in you or your loved one, you will not be able to cure depression on your own. You can find ways to lessen the effects on your body and mind through positive energy and forcing yourself to work through it.

Some cases of depression may require therapy, lifestyle changes, acquiring new skills, or medical intervention. The truth is that the only real “best cure for depression” is getting to know yourself and understanding what the underlying cause of the depression is; keeping in mind that depression is often a symptom of something else. When you understand your own depression and what makes it, and you, unique from everyone else then you will be on the road to finding your own best cure for depression.