Possible Link Between Digestive Problems & Depression/Anxiety?
DIGESTIVE IRRITATION IN NEWBORNS MAY CAUSE LIFELONG DEPRESSION
A new study has found that short-term gastrointestinal irritation in the first days of life can permanently re-set the brain to a state of depression or anxiety, suggesting that digestive problems may actually be the cause of certain psychological disorders, and not the result of them as is commonly assumed.
Because not all stomach upsets result in lifelong depressive or psychological disorders, the researchers speculate that the impact of gastric irritation may depend on when it occurs during the development of the genetic makeup of the affected person. Past research shows that individuals who suffer from functional dyspepsia (persistent or recurring pain in the upper abdomen), a group making up about 15-20 percent of the population, are also more likely than others to be depressed or anxious.
Conventional wisdom has held that stress hormones associated with altered mood cause digestive disturbances; however, the gut and brain are actually hard-wired together by the vagus nerve, which sends signals in both directions from the brain to the internal organs.
This just-released study will not be published until a future issue of the journal PLoS One. It is available online now at http://bit.ly/iPmy4w without charge.
Loose 10lbs With Sleep & Meditation
MODERATE SLEEP & REDUCED STRESS AIDS WEIGHT LOSS
Researchers have found that people who had the lowest stress levels and who slept more than six hours but not more than eight, were twice as likely to succeed at losing ten pounds over six months, even on the same weight loss program.
However, there was no association between weight loss success and the level of depression or the amount of time spent watching television or using a computer.
Previous studies have found a link between these factors and the level of obesity but this study is the first to show these factors can predict weight loss success. The researchers suggested that, to achieve weight loss, some people may have to get more sleep, or less, and others may have to supplement their weight loss regimen with stress-relieving, mind-body techniques such as meditation.
The team also observed twice the rate of success at weight loss among people who kept a food diary. This study was released March 29, 2011 but will not appear in print until a future issue of the International Journal of Obesity. It is available online now at http://bit.ly/eINv47.
=======================
For assistance getting to sleep, try Z-Caps, Now 20% off. Click here: ZCaps.
Lifestyle Changes That Can Save Your Life
LIFESTYLE CHANGES TREAT SPECTRUM OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
Researchers report that a number of therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLCs) have the generally unrecognized ability to treat schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, stress, cognitive decline, age-related memory loss, other mental and emotional problems – and even help prevent strokes and the common cold – sometimes as effectively as drug therapy (with fewer complications) or psychotherapy. 
The complete TLC list includes:
- exercise (boosts cognitive performance and reduces memory loss);
- a diet rich in fruits, vegetables & fish (improves cognitive function and reduces affective and schizophrenic symptoms);
- spending time in nature (promotes cognitive function and well-being);
- maintaining good, social relationships (reduces many risks, from colds to strokes to mental illness);
- pursuing recreation & fun (reduces defensiveness and fosters social skills);
- relaxing & stress management (treats numerous anxiety, insomnia and panic disorders);
- meditating (boosts empathy, emotional stability, cognitive function and brain size);
- being religiously or spiritually involved (can reduce anxiety, depression and substance abuse); and providing a service to others (promotes mental and physical health and may extend lifespan).
This study was released February 17, 2011 by American Psychologist but will not appear in the journal until a future issue. It is available at http://bit.ly/hvlDlc.
Can Traffic Noise Increase the Risk of Stroke?
TRAFFIC NOISE INCREASES STROKE RISK
A study has found that exposure to noise from road traffic can increase the risk of stroke, especially among those aged 65 years or older.
Researchers studying 51,485 subjects concluded that every ten-decibel increase in noise volume may raise the risk of stroke by 27% among those 65 years of age and over. Previous studies have linked traffic noise with higher blood pressure and heart attack risk, but this is the first study to link traffic noise with a greater stroke risk.
Epidemiological studies such as this, based on common factors among large populations, cannot prove cause-and-effect; but if this is a causal link, it would mean 8% of all strokes and 19% of strokes among those aged 65 and over are attributable to road traffic noise.
Traffic noise might be interfering with sleep, acting as a stressor and elevating stress hormones. The study was released today, January 26, 2011 but will not appear in print until a future issue of the European Heart Journal. It is available online now at http://bit.ly/hP9XyR without subscription or fee.
Study Shows EPA & DHA Offer Natural Antidepressant Effect
TWO OMEGA-3 FATS MAY ALLEVIATE DEPRESSION
A study concludes that taking two omega-3 fatty acids together – eicosapentenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) – has an antidepressant effect that has not been recognized before, on those with clinical depression. (Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential to ingest because the body cannot synthesize them. Greatest sources include cold water fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna and halibut, and fish oil supplements.) Taking DHA alone had no effect on depression but taking either EPA alone, or EPA and DHA together, was linked to reduced depression. Also, results showed no effect on mood or attitude in those without clinical depression. Scientists should undertake a larger human trial to study this effect further, suggested the study team leader, who also stressed that patients should always talk to their healthcare providers before taking omega-3 supplements to treat depression. This study was presented in Miami Beach at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology’s annual meeting, which ended December 9, 2010. It has not yet been published and is not yet available online.
================================
Antarcti-Krill offers a healthy blend of EPA (75 mg) and DHA (45 mg), Omega 3 essential fatty acids (150 mg) as well as important phospholipids (90% phosphatidylcholine) of 210 mg. Advantig Health & Sport has been supplying pure Antarctic Krill Oil to medical practitioners who recognize and trust its benefits, for over 7 years. Learn more by clicking here: Antarcti-Krill.Dim Light at Night Linked to Depression
DIM LIGHT AT NIGHT LINKED TO DEPRESSION
Researchers have found that exposure to even a dim light while sleeping is sufficient to cause physical changes in an area of the brain that is associated with clinical depression. This is the first study to find that light at night, by itself, leads to a lower density of dendritic spines in the hippocampus region of the brain. (Dendritic spines are hair-like growths on brain cells, which are used to send chemical messages from one cell to another.)
One previous study found that bright light during sleep periods causes depressive symptoms and another found light at night is linked to weight gain. But the new study focused on the dim light of 5 lux, which is similar to a switched-on television in an otherwise darkened room. The researchers speculate that exposure to light during sleep suppresses secretion of melatonin, the hormone that lets the body know when it is nighttime. This study was presented November 17, 2010 in San Diego at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. It has not yet been published in a journal and is not yet available online.
Second Hand Smoke Increases Risk of Psychological Disorders
A study has found that exposure to second hand smoke causes more than physical health problems. It leads to psychological distress and raises the risk of future mental illness among otherwise healthy adults.
Nonsmokers exposed to second hand smoke showed a 50 percent greater likelihood of reporting psychological distress.
Smokers were also found to be at risk and both smokers and nonsmokers exposed to frequent second hand smoke showed a higher psychiatric hospital admission rate, in addition to greater distress and psychological problems. Animal studies have previously shown that smoke can raise negativity and is a cause of depression, which is in keeping with the conclusions of this study.
The new study was published online on June 7, 2010, ahead of print publication in the Archives of General Psychiatry. The full-text version of this study has been made available by the journal at: http://bit.ly/dt4Eun.
Green Tea & Depression
Green Tea May Combat Depression in Elderly
Drinking frequent cups of green tea is linked to a lower incidence of depressive symptoms in elderly people, say Japanese researchers.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition focused on 1,058 elderly Japanese individuals 70 years of age plus with the prevalence of mild and severe and severe depressive symptoms said the authors.
The authors maintain that only a few studies have investigated the relationship between green tea consumption and mental health, while there appear to be few studies assessing the relationship between green tea drinking and depressive symptoms.
According to the team led by Atsushi Hozawa, depression in the elderly is highly prevalent and can increase the risk of medical illnesses, worsen the outcome of other medical illnesses, and may increase mortality.
Growing problem
World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts that within 20 years more people will be affected by depression than any other health problem; it ranks depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, with around 120 million people affected.
Findings show that the occurrence of depressive symptoms was 44% lower for participants who drank 4+ cups of green tea/day compared to those who drank less than one, after results were adjusted for factors such as age, sex, disease history, BMI, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, diet, and other factors.
The authors state that their study is rather limited in scale and a larger population study that uses a standardized comprehensive structured diagnostic interview is required to confirm the effect of green tea consumption on depressive symptoms.
Mental stress
A previous study also led by the Hozawa found that drinking 5 cups of green tea/day may reduce the incidence of psychological distress by 20%.
Green tea consumption was said to improve psychological well-being in a study population of 42,093 Japanese individuals of which 6.6% suffered from psychological stress.
Relaxation benefits
The potential of green tea offers more than its well-known role as an antioxidant.
According to research from Unilever, green tea contains L-theanine, which is said to relax the brain.
Consumption of 50mg of L-theanine (equivalent of 2-3 cups of green tea) stimulates the alpha-brain waves associated with relaxation. By increasing the frequency of these brain waves, the beta-brain waves associated with tension are decreased.
Consumer awareness of the benefits of green tea and green tea extracts continues to rise with growing numbers of studies, from 430 papers in 2000 to almost 1500 in 2003, reporting benefits of the main compounds, catechins.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Published online ahead of print: doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.28216
Title: Green tea consumption is associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly
Authors: K Niu, A Hozawa, S Kuriyama, S Ebihara, H Guo, N Nakaya, K Matsuda, H Takahashi, Y Masamune, M Asada, S Sasaki, H Arai, S Awata, R Nagatomi, and I Tsuji