Researchers continually look for ways to reduce the risk of diabetes, as well as ways to predict its onset. Two separate studies reveal two risk factors for diabetes that might surprise you. The first study looked at dietary practices, and the second studied depression. Some simple lifestyle changes could result in big health gains.
Vitamin E Makes a Difference
The first study group included 2,285 men and 2,019 women. Researchers looked at their eating habits and observed who developed diabetes over a 23-year period.
People who ate the highest levels of vitamin E (from foods) had a third (31 percent) less diabetes than those who ate the least vitamin-E-rich foods. (The research compared the top 20 percent of vitamin E intake to the lowest 20 percent intake.)
This is exciting news. One simple dietary change might cut the risk of diabetes by a third! What foods are high in vitamin E? Here are some of the highest: wheat germ, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, vegetable oils, and whole grains.
Researchers also found another antioxidant (beta-cryptoxanthin), a carotenoid, that was also protective. Those who ate the most of this antioxidant had a 42-percent decreased risk of developing diabetes. Foods high in this carotenoid are dark yellow foods including mangos, peaches, tangerines, and other citrus fruits. These are all healthy foods and might be helpful in preventing diabetes.
Depression and Diabetes
In the second study, 11,615 healthy adults were followed for six years. At the start of the study, all participants were evaluated for depression. Those who were in the top 25 percent for depressive symptoms had a 63 percent increased risk of developing diabetes during the six-year follow-up compared to the 25 percent with the fewest depression symptoms.
This predictive relationship persisted even after adjusting for smoking, physical activity, calorie intake, BMI, blood pressure, and other possible confounders.
Researchers are not sure why depression is a predictor nor do they understand a mechanism yet. But there appears to be a strong mental component in increasing the risk of diabetes. Screening for depression is important for many reasons besides diabetes risk. But it might be an additional clue to why some people develop diabetes. |
