The Food and Mood Community Newletter

The Food and Mood Community Interest Companydietary self help for emotional and mental health PO Box 2737, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2GN, UKFax: +44 (0)1273 478108email: info@foodandmood.orghttp://www.foodandmood.org


The following items are forwarded from the Mental Health Foundation latest news and archive.

Website: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/: Decision makers aim to tackle alcohol A national charity was today bringing together a host of leading decision makers to develop new ways to tackle alcohol and the damage it can do to people and families 29/03/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=43690

The battle against size zero As the child of one of the world's most famous fashion designers, Allegra Versace's battle with anorexia puts the spotlight firmly on the fashion industry and the controversy over ultra-thin models 28/03/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=43678&p=2

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at risk for alcohol problems Parental alcoholism and family stress can also facilitate the development of alcohol problems 26/03/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=43610&p=3

Children as young as six suffer from eating disorders A worrying picture of eating disorders among children under 13 was unveiled by researchers today 26/03/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=43574&p=3

Dying to be thin A £2 million research drive to help sufferers of anorexia was announced by the Government today 07/04/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=44046

Omega-3 fatty acid may help prevent Alzheimer's brain lesions A type of omega-3 fatty acid may slow the growth of two brain lesions that are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, UC Irvine scientists have discovered. The finding suggests that diets rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can help prevent the... 17/04/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=45036

New published trial bolsters evidence that omega-3 fish oil can benefit children with ADHD symptoms Results released from the largest clinical-based omega-3 and omega-6 trial of its kind show that supplementation with fatty acids relieves the symptoms of ADHD(1), adding to a growing body of evidence that nutritional intervention can directly... 17/04/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=44919

Call to ban parents giving children alcohol Parents who give alcohol to under-15s - even with a meal at home - should face prosecution, a charity said today. 27/04/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=45889&p=1

One high-fat meal 'raises stress risk' Just one high-fat meal can make a person more susceptible to physical stress, scientists have found 23/04/2007More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=45627&p=3

Female alcoholics can develop cognitive problems more rapidly than male alcoholics Alcohol abuse and/or dependence can lead to severe and potentially irreversible brain damage. "Telescoping" refers to the greater damaging physical effects that alcohol can have upon women. 23/04/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?p=3

Depression may trigger diabetes in older adults Chronic depression or depression that worsens over time may cause diabetes in older adults, according to new Northwestern University research 23/04/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=45689&p=3D

octors monitor continuous eating disorder man's condition A morbidly obese East Sussex man is in hospital as doctors monitor his condition caused by a rare genetic disorder that compels him to eat continuously 03/05/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=46181&p=2

RAND study finds alcohol advertising and marketing associated with adolescent drinking Children's exposure to alcohol advertising during early adolescence appears to influence both beer drinking and their intentions to drink a year later, according to a RAND Corporation study issued today 03/05/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=46202&p=2

Breastfeeding and good fats help new moms fight depression Breastfeeding and the good fats in Omega-3 fatty acids help new moms fight depression, according to a new article published in the most recent issue of the International Breastfeeding Journal by a University of New Hampshire researcher 02/05/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=46164&p=2

Drinking heavy amounts of alcohol shrinks your brain Drinking heavy amounts of alcohol over a long period of time may decrease brain volume, according to research that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 59th Annual Meeting in Boston, April 28 – May 5, 2007 02/05/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=46167&p=2

Green tea extract protects against brain damage in new mouse model of HIV-related dementia A compound derived from green tea greatly diminished the neurotoxicity of proteins secreted by the human immunodeficiency virus, suggesting a new approach to the prevention and treatment of HIV-associated dementia, also known as AIDS dementia... 01/05/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=46108&p=3

Gender, ethnic differences may hamper eating disorder diagnosis Eating disorders may be overlooked in some groups - boys and some ethnicities - by physicians accustomed to diagnosing the condition in white teenage girls, say researchers at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and the Stanford University School of... 01/05/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=46111&p=3

Higher calcium and vitamin D intakes positively associated with brain lesions in older men and women Elderly men and women who consumed higher levels of calcium and vitamin D are significantly more likely to have greater volumes of brain lesions, regions of damage that can increase risk of cognitive impairment, dementia, depression and stroke 01/05/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=46115&p=3

Study probes Alzheimer's 'food link' A new study will investigate possible links between diet and Alzheimer's disease 19/05/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=46641&p=1

Alzheimer's weight gain initiative also improved patients' intellectual abilities Swedish researchers have found a way to increase the weight of people with Alzheimer's, by improving communication and patient involvement, altering meal routines and providing a more homely eating environment 15/05/2007 More information at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news?EntryId=46580&p=2

A drink a day may delay dementiaIn people with mild cognitive impairment, up to one drink of alcohol a day may slow their progression to dementia 21/05/2007More information at:http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?EntryId=46707

The following items are from Alternative Mental Health/Safe Harbor newsletter based in the US. More info at AlternativeMentalHealth.com:

Lead and Selenium Affect Cognitive Skills in ElderlyTwo studies reported in the January 2007 issue of the journal Epidemiology showed correlations between blood levels of lead and selenium and cognitive ability in the elderly. One study, carried out by Dr. Marc G. Weisskopf of the Harvard School of Public Health and colleagues, looked at the effects of cumulative lead levels in more than a thousand elderly men over a nine-year period. None of the subjects had high occupational lead exposure. Bone and blood were tested for lead levels.Results showed that elderly men with the highest lead levels in their blood and bone had the worst scores on cognitive tests and worse deterioration over time. As blood lead levels went up, their vocabulary scores went down—as did performance and reaction time scores on tests of visual/special and visual motor tests. A second report on research carried out in France examined the relationship of selenium to cognitive ability. Selenium is an antioxidant and researchers theorized that since oxidative stress contributes to poor cognitive function, low selenium may be directly linked to declining mental skills. Led by researcher N. Tasnime Akbaraly, who in past research has demonstrated a connection between low selenium levels and higher mortality rates, the team began with 1389 subjects between the ages of 60 and 71 and studied them over a nine-year period.The team concluded: "Among subjects who had a decrease in their plasma selenium levels, the greater the decrease in plasma selenium, the higher the probability of cognitive decline. Among subjects who had an increase in their plasma selenium levels, cognitive decline was greater in subjects with the smallest selenium increase. There was no association between short-term (2-year) selenium change and cognitive changes.

"Bacteria in Dirt May Boost Mood as Well as AntidepressantsUK scientists reporting in the journal Neuroscience (posted online March 28, 2007) claim that exposure to a friendly soil bacteria, Mycobacterium vaccae, could improve mood as effectively as antidepressants by boosting the immune system.Researchers exposed mice to the bacteria and tested the animals with the "forced swim" test commonly used in testing antidepressant drugs. This exercise measures mood levels by how long the mice swim before giving up. The study found that the exposed mice paddled much longer than a control group."You could say the [bacteria-exposed] mice had a more active coping style," said study leader Chris Lowry of the University of Bristol in England.The study's findings are similar to those of previous research which showed that human cancer patients treated with the bacteria reported significant increases in their quality of life."These studies help us understand how the body communicates with the brain and why a healthy immune system is important for maintaining mental health," Lowry said. "They also leave us wondering if we shouldn’t all be spending more time playing in the dirt.

"Antidepressants Don’t Help Bipolar PatientsAlthough antidepressants have been widely prescribed in 50-70% of patients for the depression phase of bipolar symptoms, a new study finds they are not generally effective."It is clear from this data," said Dr. Thomas R. Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, "that antidepressants are not the answer."In the study, 366 patients at 22 academic centers in the U.S. were randomly assigned to receive one of two antidepressants or a placebo for 26 weeks, in addition to mood stabilizing medication they were receiving. Patients also received psychological and social therapy.Of the 179 participants who received an antidepressant in addition to a mood stabilizer, 23.5% achieved a "durable recovery," defined as an eight-week period marked by no more than two depressive or two manic symptoms. In the placebo group, 27.3% of patients achieved a "durable recovery."The study was reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. The lead author was Dr. Gary Sachs, director of the bipolar clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Healthy Habits Lower Depression, Anxiety RiskThe site www.medicalnewstoday.com reports on a study led by Coen H. van Gool, Department of Health Care Studies, of Universiteit Maastricht, supporting the age-old notion that proper diet and exercise can affect mood.The study looked at more than 1,100 adults and found that those who reported excessive alcohol use (an average of three or more drinks daily) at the beginning of the study were more likely to suffer from depression six years later, as were those who were overweight at the beginning of the study. And those who reported exercising for more than 30 minutes daily at the beginning of the study period were less likely to be depressed six years later.In a related study reported in the April 15, 2007, issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, UK scientists found that men who partook in intense exercise in their non-work hours had lower depression and anxiety scores than a control group five years later. This did not hold true for men who performed intense physical labor at work.The research looked at over 1100 Welsh men who reported their exercise habits and then, at three different times over ten years, reported on their depression and anxiety levels.Researchers postulated that the improvements were due to exercise-induced mood-enhancing brain chemistry and the self-esteem benefits of being in good physical condition.

The following items are from the Food for the Brain (May) newsletter. Website http://www.foodforthebrain.org/content.asp?id_Content=1:

Good News on Fish Oils Just Keeps Coming!In a study of 2,000 people aged 50 to 65 years old, those with the highest levels of fish oils had the least decline in verbal fluency. This was particularly true for those with high blood pressure and high cholesterol or fats in the blood. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 85(4), 1103-1111For the full article, visit: http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/85/4/1103

In another study, 210 men aged 70 to 89 years old were followed for 5 years. There was a very strong association between intake of fish oil from diet and rate of cognitive decline, with those taking in the most fish oil from oily fish showing the least decline in cognitive function. The measure of decline used the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) which includes questions on orientation to time and place, registration, attention and calculation, recall, language, and visual construction.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007 (85)4; 1142-1147For the full article, visit: http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/85/4/1142

In a study using mice which had been genetically altered to display characteristics of Alzheimer's Disease, DHA (from fish oil) reduced the accumulation of beta-amyloid and tau in their brains. Higher levels of beta-amyloid and tau in the brain is a sign of progression in Alzheimer's Disease, suggesting that fish oils may not only be useful in prevention but also in slowing the progress of the disease.Journal of Neuroscience, 2007, 27(16):4385-4395For the abstract, visit: http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/27/16/4385

A new study confirms that children taking a combination of omega-3 fish oil and omega-6 evening primrose oil for 15 or 30 weeks, versus placebo, have major improvements in ADHD symptoms, as measured on the Conner's scale, (which is what was measured in the Food for the Brain Cricket Green project.) The treatment effects for those taking omega-3 and omega-6 with a multivitamin were comparable with average treatment effects of stimulant medication such as Ritalin, according to parent ratings of behaviour.Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 2007; 28(2); 82-91For the abstract, visit: http://www.jrnldbp.com/pt/re/jdbp/abstract.00004703-200704000-00002.htm;jsessionid=G12b1y7pYJd42jLHdYLpnTnPFNTPGLv80v2BzRWWSCpP3zZ1STzx!3145886!-949856145!8091!-1

Low Iron may Contribute to Depression in Women who are not AnaemicTwo hundred women who were not anaemic had their mood and blood iron levels measured. The iron levels in the women who were rated as depressed were significantly lower than the healthy ones.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007; 61; 532-535For the abstract, visit: http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v61/n4/abs/1602542a.html

Vitamin D Deficiency in Pregnancy may have Implications for Mental Health of ChildrenResearchers compared the brains of baby rats born to vitamin D deficient female rats with those of rats whose mothers were not vitamin D deficient. They found a number of differences in brain proteins in the rats whose mothers were vitamin D deficient. Some of these changes are the same as those seen in humans with schizophrenia and/or multiple sclerosis. This suggests that getting adequate vitamin D in pregnancy may be protective.Proteomics, 2007; 7(5); 769:780For the abstract, visit: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/114121565/ABSTRACT

PCBs may Contribute to AutismTraces of a chemical banned 30 years ago caused brain abnormalities in newborn lab animals which are similar to defects in children with autism, according to a new study by University of California scientists. The new research shows brain development is skewed when animals are exposed to amounts of PCBs in the same range as some highly exposed people. PCBs were one of the world's most widely used chemicals, their use peaking in the 1970s, mostly as insulating fluids in large electrical equipment. Although banned in the west in the 1970's, they are still among the most pervasive contaminants on the planet, and exposure is difficult to avoid because they have spread globally and built up in food chains. Our comment: Avoidance of these chemicals may be difficult, but supporting the bodies' own detoxification process is likely to improve their elimination from the body. This means plenty of water, and fresh fruit and vegetables, and avoiding other substances that overload the detoxification processes.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2007; 104(18); 7646-7651For the full article, visit: http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/104/18/7646?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=autism&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&volume=104&issue=18&resourcetype=HWCITMedication

Prescribed to Alzheimer's Patients may hasten their declineIn a study of 224 people with Alzheimer's Disease who were living in the community, those who were taking antipsychotic drugs or sedatives had an almost three-fold higher risk of deterioration than those who were taking none. Even worse, for those taking both antipsychotic and sedative drugs together, their risk of deterioration was almost quadrupled. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 2007; 78; 233-239For the abstract, visit: http://jnnp.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/78/3/233