Entries tagged with: Anxiety
The Science
Restriction of meat, fish, and poultry in omnivores improves mood: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Restriction of meat, fish, and poultry in omnivores improves mood: A pilot randomized controlled trial
The Science
Bisphenol A Interferes with Synaptic Remodeling
Bisphenol A Interferes with Synaptic Remodeling
Emerging science indicates that exposure to BPA-- bisphenol A, a chemical widely used in plastics--interferes with brain development. Used to mold plastics, it is found in food containers, in the lining of metal food cans, and the treated paper used for cash register receipts. Read the abstract →
Blog
Half the World is Nuts! Or What’s A DALY
Half the World is Nuts! Or What’s A DALY
A comprehensive survey of mental disorders in the European Union published in September 2011 found that close to 40 percent of the population suffers from brain-based mental disorders like depression, dementia, and alcohol addiction. This study includes children and teens. Another recent, similar study in the US by the CDC found 25 percent of adults suffered from brain-based disorders. And headlines also buzzed when in 2005, Harvard researcher Ronald Kessler found that that about half of Americans would struggle with mental illness at sometime in their life.
Pundits express outrage at these numbers, asking, “How can half the world be mentally ill?” But given that brain disorders are the largest health care challenge facing modern medicine, you should understand more about the studies behind these headlines…and why these numbers are the tip of the iceberg. Read the Post →
Blog
“Traditional” Diets and Mood
“Traditional” Diets and Mood
There’s been a lot of talk about how “traditional” diets (i.e., what your grandmother served for dinner) are better for you. I’ve generally taken issue with this precept; I wanted to believe it was true, but where’s the science supporting it? Read the Post →
The Science
Dietary Fat Intake and the Risk of Depression: the SUN Project
Dietary Fat Intake and the Risk of Depression: the SUN Project
Less reported is the link between trans fat and depression. Published in Feb 2011, this study nicely connects these industrial fats and depression: those who ate the most trans fats were 42 percent more likely to get depressed. The results were also linear, which meant that even eating lower levels of trans fat increased a person’s risk. Read the abstract →
The Science
Association of Western and traditional diets with depression and anxiety in women
Association of Western and traditional diets with depression and anxiety in women
There’s been a lot of talk about how “traditional” diets (i.e., what your grandmother served for dinner) are better for you. I’ve generally taken issue with this precept; I wanted to believe it was true, but where’s the science supporting it? Read the abstract →
Blog
The Most Depressing Fat in the World
The Most Depressing Fat in the World
Published in Feb 2011, a study entitled "Dietary Fat Intake and the Risk of Depression: the SUN Project" nicely connects these industrial trans fats and depression: those who ate the most trans fats were 42 percent more likely to get depressed. The results were also linear, which meant that even eating lower levels of trans fat increased a person’s risk. Read the Post →
Blog
Meds, Meds and More Meds
Meds, Meds and More Meds
A recent CDC report revealed that 11 percent of Americans aged 12 years and over take antidepressants. Before you decry all psychiatrists as pull pushers, let's explore the truth behind the numbers, and just who is writing those prescriptions. Read the Post →