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Fish Oils and Depression in the Elderly
Created on 10/31/2008
Eighty may be the new 50, but some problems are common to both age groups, including depression. Senior citizens might experience depression for a number of reasons, but a new consideration is potential relative nutritional deficiencies. One that has come to light focuses on the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, in this case EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).
Researchers recently published the results of a French study of elderly citizens with depression. Those subjects found to have low levels of EPA were at higher risk for depression, and, strikingly, those already being treated with antidepressants were at risk for more severe depression if their EPA levels were low.
We've long heard now about the potential health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, and even seen prior research data suggesting benefits in select mental health disorders like depression and bipolar disease. These most recent data, however, emphasize an intervention that
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A worldwide view of a heart healthy diet
Created on 10/22/2008
The majority of research into what makes up a heart healthy diet has focused on people of European descent; however, the culinary traditions of people from cultures all over the world vary greatly, which makes development of widely applicable heart healthy dietary recommendations a complicated endeavor. Fortunately, a newly published study sheds light on the subject. The authors of the INTERHEART trial looked at medical data from 52 countries and found that the generally held belief that a diet high in vegetables and fruit can protect against heart disease holds true around the globe, regardless of culture. On the other hand, what also holds true is that a diet high in fried or salty foods increases the risk for heart attack.
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Diet as treatment for low-risk prostate cancer?
Created on 10/10/2008
A recent interesting study by Dr. Dean Ornish' group looked at the effects of dietary and lifestyle changes (low-fat diet emphasizing fruit and vegetables, regular exercise and stress management, and group support) on the activity of specific genes reportedly associated with cancer cell growth in men with low-risk prostate cancer. After only 3 months, the researchers found that activity of the genes was lowered significantly, and that other potentially beneficial health changes had occurred, too.
This trial studied only a relatively small number of men with low-risk prostate cancer, so the results are not definitive, but they give us all added reason for hope that we have more control over our health and wellbeing than we might think.
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