If you suffer from depression you may want to get your bone density levels checked! New research suggests depression could increase the risk of developing the bone disorder – osteoporosis.

Researchers from the US National Institute of Mental Health found that 17 per cent of depressed women – compared to just two percent of those who were not suffering from depression – had thinner bones in the hip area. The researchers believe depressed women have overactive immune systems and this can cause the production of too many chemicals that can cause inflammation and bone loss. The women tested in the study were using antidepressants but no link was found between the drugs and the thinning of the women’s bones.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 1st, 2008 at 5:10 am and is filed under In the News, Osteoporosis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.