Diabetics can reduce their risk of depression by taking melatonin and quercetin

( Natural News ) Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world. Recent estimates by the World Health Organization show that there are more than 400 million people with this disease . This number is expected to become even bigger in the next few years unless people start doing something about it. Finding an effective treatment for diabetes should be of utmost priority, especially since this disease is associated with many health complications — including depression. Researchers from Algeria were able to find natural ways to reduce the risk of depression in diabetics. In their study, published in The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, they found that taking quercetin or melatonin supplements can improve anxiety- and depressive-like behavior in animal models with diabetes . Furthermore, these supplements were able to improve lipid levels. The flavonoid quercetin is naturally found in vegetables and fruits, including capers, onions, berries, apples, grapes, asparagus, and onions. This compound has been shown to have anti-diabetic properties. Moreover, there is evidence that quercetin has beneficial effects against depression and disorders of lipid metabolism. Meanwhile, melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland from tryptophan. Previous studies have shown that melatonin has potent antioxidant properties. It also has the ability to normalize lipid levels and improve depressive-like behavior. This study wanted to assess the ameliorative effects of melatonin and quercetin supplements on depressive-like behavior and unhealthy lipid levels. To do this, they used male Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes as animal models. The rats were subjected to an open field test and forced swimming test, both of which are used to evaluate anxiety- and depressive-like behavior. The team also collected blood samples from the rats after four weeks of treatment to determine changes in lipid levels. Serum parameters that were considered […]

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