Tag Archives: depression

Trans Fats Cause Depression

Are you feeling down in the dumps about all that junk food you’ve been eating lately? Well, it may literally be the junk food that is making you depressed.

The results of a six-year study out of Spain has come to the conclusion that people who eat food high in trans fats and saturated fats have an increased risk of depression. Trans fats are used in fried foods, shortening and all kinds of processed foods.

“Participants with an elevated consumption of trans fats presented up to a 48 percent increase in the risk of depression when they were compared to participants who did not consume these fats,” said Almudena Sanchez-Villegas, associate professor of preventive medicine at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. (more…)

Posted on February 1, 2024 by Jason

Ensure Seniors Have a Healthy Holiday

The holidays are a difficult time for everyone. Senior citizens can sometimes face unique concerns in addition to the ones that the rest of us encounter during this time of year. With a little bit of extra care and thought, the entire family can have a great time this holiday season.

Slips and falls are dangerous because the elderly have an increased risk of injury. Crowded family rooms and kitchens combined with food everywhere can create many opportunities for a disaster. Place a towel by the door for people to dry off as they come in so you avoid rain or snow on the floors. For the same reason, winter weather can make it dangerous for the elderly to walk alone outside. Fitness is important at all ages so go with grandma for a walk. It will provide cardio and quality time.

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Posted on December 16, 2023 by Theresa

5 Ways to Avoid a Blue Christmas

Christmas is supposedly the Season of Joy, except for many, it steals joy like the Grinch stole Christmas from the Who’s. Holiday distress can be caused by traffic, crowded shopping malls and parking lots, financial struggles, and a calendar crammed with holiday parties and events. In addition, the season shocks us with a dip in temperatures requiring extra time and bundling, the least amount of daylight in a 24 hour period of the entire year, and for many of us, complications such as snow, ice, sleet, and a wintry mix. The real culprit stealing the joy of the season for many is grief: missing a loved one during holiday celebrations, unfulfilled dreams or unmet goals, memories of old hurts, and/or family situations that do not meet the holiday ideal.

When you are feeling a bit Scroogey during the holiday season (or any time), it is extra tempting to eat fatty, sugary foods, eat larger portions, skip workouts and stay in bed longer than necessary. Depression also encourages negative thinking patterns which can lead to personal put-downs, self-doubt, and giving up on goals. They may seem basic, but these tips can help you avoid having a Blue Christmas and hold steady on your goals through the end of the year.

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Posted on December 15, 2023 by Brooke Randolph

Diabetes Linked to Dementia in the Elderly

Everyone wants to age gracefully. Included in these wishes is to be of sound mind our entire lives. Unfortunately, too many of us face the challenges of dementia in our golden years. In fact, a 2024 study estimated that one out of every seven adults who are 71 years and over suffer from dementia.

While there are genetic components that may be out of your control, some things are within your control, including your diet. (more…)

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Health Buzz

Exercise May Be as Effective as Anti-Depressants

Yet another research article has been published on the positive impact exercise can have on mood and depression. This time the research seems to be a meta-analysis study done by Jasper Smits, director of Southern Methodist University’s Anxiety Research and Treatment Program, and Michael Otto, psychology professor at Boston University, who co-authored Exercise for Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Therapist guide in 2024.

Meta-analysis is a review of several different research studies to combine the results of all of them. This is important because the method used in the individual studies can greatly influence the results, and correlations may be less general then they appear.

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Posted on June 30, 2023 by Brooke Randolph

Running Away From Winter Claustrophobia

As winter stretches on after Punxsutawney Phil was frightened by his own shadow, many can start to feel SAD or trapped. It’s no wonder so many are ready to peel off all the extra layers and escape for spring break. Dealing with snow, freezing rain, ice, school cancellations, delays, and more can become frustrating, adding complication and stressors to daily life. When you start to feel claustrophobic from being in your own home, it is time to run away, literally.

I find so much freedom in running, leaving my computer behind for at least 20 minutes and getting around on my own physical power. It is how I allow my brain to rest and renew while I engage myself physically. After being cooped up as a result of winter weather, getting active feels great! (more…)

Posted on March 5, 2024 by Brooke Randolph

Tracking Progress Essential for Weight Loss and Depression

food journalRecent research suggests that those dealing with depression also have difficulty distinguishing fine detail visually, although they are able to make interpretations on a larger scale. This may be linked to a shortage of the neurotransmitter GABA, which has been linked to one’s ability to suppress part of a visual field and focus on a single part. It is unclear if this correlation is another symptom of depression or a genetic trait that contributes to depression.

It is common for depression to accompany the need to lose weight. Thus you may be less likely to notice the improvements that you are making day by day on your journey to weight loss and/or health. If you are working towards a goal and not noticing progress, it can get pretty frustrating, which can make depression worse.

Another danger is that depression often includes apathy and low energy, all factors that could lead someone to give up, so it is important to find a way to notice the results of your hard work. (more…)

Posted on December 12, 2023 by Brooke Randolph

Health Effects of Pregnancy on a Woman’s Body

Stretch marks. Varicose veins. Postpartum depression. Exhaustion.pregnancy and yoga ball

Pregnancy does a number on your body, but happily, many of those changes are temporary. At the end, you have a beautiful baby to show for it. What you don’t know, though, is that some of the changes that your body goes through can raise the risk of other struggles later in your life.

For example, if you suffered from pre-eclampsia during your pregnancy, you may show symptoms of heart disease as many as three years sooner than those women who had normal blood pressure readings. Make sure to keep track of your blood pressure readings at every check up. (more…)

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Carmen

Low-Fat Diets Improve Your Mood

saladThere is more than one way to skin a cat. And that strange and grotesque cliche happens to apply to your weight loss approach. There are many diets that will get you to your goal weight, but not all of them will also have the added benefit of improving your mood.

According to a new study, only low-fat diets will help with long-term mood improvement.

“This study looked at one factor, and prior studies haven’t focused on psychological factors,” says Dr. Ewald Horvath, interim chairman of psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “This is a great study focusing on something very important.” (more…)

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Jason

Eat Whole Foods to Avoid Depression

fruitRecent research conducted in the United Kingdom has shown that dietary choices can have a long term effect on your mental health. Researchers compared 3,486 civil servants in London based on surveys they completed about their eating habits and a follow-up survey on mood completed five years later. Participants were divided into two categories: the “whole food” group ate a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and fish, while the “processed food” group ate a high percentage of sweetened desserts, fried foods, processed meat, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products. The research also took into account other habits that effect overall health such as exercise and smoking.

The link between what we eat and mental health: The participants in the “processed food” group were 58 percent more likely to develop depression, while those with a “whole foods” diet were 26 percent less likely to develop depression. Interestingly, the researchers were cautious to draw any specific conclusions based on these correlations. (more…)

Posted on November 4, 2023 by Brooke Randolph

Obese Less Likely to Commit Suicide

obese manCan there actually be a positive associated with obesity? While there are countless obesity-related health concerns, there just may be one positive – you are less likely to successfully commit suicide.

According to a new study at Harvard School of Public Health, there were about 12 suicides per 100,000 adults in 2004 and 2005. However, with every three percent increase in obesity in any given state, there were three fewer suicides per 100,000 adults. This even took into account the fact that states with higher rates of obesity also had higher rates of gun ownership, adults who smoke, and lower rates of household income. (more…)

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Jason