Diabetes from stress

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The psyche can really mess up the body functions. Those who are stressed are apparently at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers have now discovered how emotional distress and diabetes are related. The trail leads into the brain, to those mechanisms that are responsible for controlling fear.

"A lot of research shows that people who are stressed, anxious, or depressed have an increase in inflammation," says Kyle Murdock of Rice University in Huston, Texas. And that in turn promotes various diseases. Together with colleagues, the scientist examined the physiological processes on which this relationship is based.

Controlled attention

The so-called attention control is obviously decisive for this. This cognitive ability enables a person to influence what to focus on and what to ignore. “People with poor attention control are more likely to develop stressful thoughts - and they have a harder time ignoring them,” says Murdock. They worry more often, develop fears more quickly, tend to imagine horror scenarios - in short, they are more often under stress.

Activated inflammatory processes

As part of a study, psychological tests were used to determine the ability to control attention in more than 800 adults. The scientists also measured blood sugar levels and the interleukin-6 level in the subjects' blood. Interleukin 6 (II-6) is a signaling substance and belongs to the so-called proinflammatory cytokines. It activates inflammatory processes and thus the body's healing powers. In the long run, however, the inflammatory reactions cause damage - among other things, they promote the development of type 2 diabetes.

Murdock's researchers were now able to use the data to show that participants with less good attention control actually had elevated interleukin-6 levels - but above all a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

Mindfulness Against Diabetes

How great the ability to control attention is partly predisposed or acquired early. But it can be improved. You can practice blocking out negative thoughts that burden you. Elements from cognitive behavioral therapy can support this, but above all so-called mindfulness training. "Research shows that people who strengthen their mindfulness do better in the long term in tests for attentional control," explains Murdock. This could not only strengthen mental health, but also help maintain physical health. In addition to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases are also among the common ailments that are favored by chronic stress. (cf)

Source: Kyle W. Murdock et al .: Executive functioning and diabetes: The role of anxious arousal and inflammation, September 2016 Volume 71, Pages 102-109, | DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.05.006

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