Is Magnesium the Answer to Treatment-Resistant Depression?

Researchers report that"there is more than sufficient evidence to implicate inadequate dietary magnesium as the main cause of TRD [treatment-resistant depression]. Since inadequate brain magnesium appears to reduce serotonin levels, and since antidepressants have been shown to have the action of raising brain magnesium, we further hypothesise that magnesium treatment will be beneficial for nearly all depressives, not only TRD."
A 2008 randomised clinical trial supports the use of magnesium in depression, with results showing it to be as effective as the tricyclic antidepressant Imipramine in treating depression in magnesium-deficient diabetics, without any of the side effects of Imipramine. Magnesium is low in processed foods, potentially harming the brain, while calcium, glutamate and aspartate - all common food additives - may worsen affective disorders.
Source: Eby GA 3rd, Eby KL. Magnesium for treatment-resistant depression: a review and hypothesis. Med Hypotheses 2010 Apr 2010;74(4):649-660.

Vitamin D Reduces Risk of Pelvic Floor Disorders

Pelvic floor disorders, including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and faecal incontinence, affect many women, with frequency increasing with age. Vitamin D insufficiency has been linked with poor muscle strength. The analysis showed approximately 82% of women had vitamin D levels below the normal range. Consistent with the researchers' hypothesis, higher vitamin D levels were associated with a decreased risk of any pelvic floor disorder in all women.
Source: Obstet Gynaecol 2010 Apr;115(4):795-803.

Babies Need Daily Vitamin D Supplement

In November 2008, the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) doubled the recommended daily intake of vitamin D for infants and children, from 200IU to 400IU. The study revealed that the use of oral vitamin D supplements was low (1-13%) and only 11-25% of American infants met the recommended level of 400IU per day. Both breastfed and formula-fed babies younger than six months of age are at risk of low vitamin D intake.
Source: Pediatrics 2010 Apr;125(4):627-632.

Vitamin D Prevents Influenza in Children

A recent study found that vitamin D supplements reduced the incidence of influenza A in schoolchildren. The multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial studied 430 schoolchildren aged 6-15 years, over the Japanese winter between December 2008 and March 2009. The children were assigned a total of 1200IU of vitamin D3 daily (3 x 200IU tablets twice daily) or placebo. Asthma attacks were also prevented by vitamin D3 supplementation.
Source: Am J Clin Nutr 2010 May;91(5):1255-1260.

Green Tea Reduces Glaucoma Risk

Catechins in green tea could help protect against glaucoma and other eye diseases.
Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry February 10, 2010;58(3):1523-34

Can Being Sleep Deprived Actually Kill You Early?

People who suffer from a rare form of insomnia can die from lack of sleep. Scientists have long known, for instance, that lack of sleep is associated with weight gain. Another study also found that subjects ate significantly more snacks and carbohydrates after a night of only five and a half hours of sleep. We get about 25% less sleep than they did a century ago - and this isn't just a matter of having less energy. As ABC News reported, staying awake for just one night is enough to make you act as though you're legally intoxicated if you get behind the wheel. This shows just how crucial sleep is to your health. It is no less vital than food, water and air.
Source: New York Times April 26, 2010

Mercury in Tuna Sushi Higher at Restaurants

A new study using fish DNA suggests that some species of tuna, particularly those used by restaurants, have higher mercury levels. Restaurants tend to favour certain species of tuna, such as Bluefin, Akami and Bigeye tuna. Unfortunately, mercury tends to accumulate to a greater degree in muscle than in fat, rendering these highly prized, leaner species of tuna more susceptible to high contamination. Restaurants tend to buy larger sized fish, which in turn contain larger concentrations of mercury due to their size.
Source: Biology Letters April 21, 2010 [Epub ahead of print]

Drug Company to Pay Half a Billion Dollar Fine for ILLEGAL Marketing

Drugmaker AstraZeneca has agreed to pay $520 million to settle federal investigations into marketing practices for its schizophrenia drug Seroquel. This makes AstraZeneca the 4th big drug company in the last three years to admit to federal charges of illegal marketing of antipsychotic drugs. The company was accused of misleading doctors and patients by spotlighting favourable research, while failing to adequately disclose studies showing that Seroquel increases the risk of diabetes.
Source: New York Times April 26, 2010; The United States Department of Justice April 27, 2010.

Brushing Teeth Prevents Heart Disease

People who fail to brush their teeth twice a day may be putting themselves at risk of heart disease. A study of more than 11,000 adults backs previous research linking gum disease with heart problems.
Source: British Medical Journal May 28, 2010; 340:c2451

Spices Play Role in Reduced Cancer Risk

Adding certain spices to your meat before tossing it on the grill can also cut the risk of cancer long associated with beef cooked at high temperatures. Rosemary and tumeric are the most effective in preventing the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs). HCAs are cancer-causing compounds that are produced when meat is barbecued, grilled, broiled or fried. Other spices are beneficial for cooking: cloves, cinnamon, oregano, rosemary, ginger, black pepper, paprika and garlic powder.
Source: New York Times May 27, 2010

High Dose DHA Decreases Tumour Growth By 2/3

Swedish scientists recently published the positive impact of omega-3 fatty acids (which are found mainly in fish oil) on a certain type of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma (Gleissman 2010). These Karolinska Institute scientists had previously shown that DHA (the most unsaturated form of fatty acid in fish oil) could cause apoptosis (i.e., programmed cell death) in cancer cells. They have now extended their work to experimental animals, showing that fish oil supplementation caused either stabilisation or actual regression of tumours in these animals.
Source: www.panaxea.com

Over 30,000 People Signed Petition For GE Food Labelling

Before the public consultations, the Federal Government had GE marked as only a minor issue for their expert panel to consider as part of this year's review of Australia's food labelling laws. By the time the public submissions had closed, the panel had received around 6,000 submissions and the majority were on GE. Add to this over 30,000 signatures from consumers and a GM-Free charter signed by 200 of Australia's leading chefs, and it would be fair to say that demand for GE labelling emerged as one of the major issues of the food labelling review.
Source: www.truefood.org.au/newsandevents/?news=94

Exercise Critical to Cancer Treatment

Cancer patients should not avoid exercise; they can and should find ways to be physically active both during and after treatment, according to U.S. guidelines. Exercise improves cancer survival.
Source: Science Daily June 1, 2010