Symptoms
There are a number of symptoms that might indicate the presence of depression. People who are experiencing this condition may suffer from persistent sadness and feelings of hopelessness and may experience disruptions in sleep and appetite. They might also notice a significant decrease in motivation, experience fatigue and listlessness, and may find that they are struggling to engage in activities that would normally bring them pleasure. Some find it extremely difficult to partake in simple tasks, such as showering or getting out of bed, and some experience a decrease in interest in social interactions. Others find they need to withdraw from social settings entirely. A decrease in sexual libido is not uncommon with depression. Cognitive impairments, to include decreased concentration and poor memory might also be present. In some cases individuals might also experience other symptoms, such as psychosis or dissociative states. When feeling hopeless and in despair, some individuals will experience the passive feeling of not wanting to exist or even active thoughts of suicide. As is the case with many illnesses, depressive symptoms range from mild to severe and no one-person experiences it exactly the same.

Medications
Medications might be prescribed either by a General Medical Practitioner or a Psychiatrist. The most common medications prescribed for depression are antidepressants including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), selective norepinphrine reuptake inhibitors and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These medications affect levels of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain and are often successful in alleviating the symptoms of depression.

Side Effects
These medications are typically considered safe. However, as with any medication, there may be side effects. Typical side effects include headache, nausea, sleep disruption and agitation. Some individuals also experience sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressant medications. In some cases, particularly if the depression is a symptom of another mood disorder known as Bipolar Affective Disorder, antidepressants may cause a manic episode. It is important those medications and their side effects are monitored by a physician and that any changes in mental status, worsening of symptoms or suicidal ideation are discussed with a doctor. Finally, medications alone might not be effective. Many find that additional therapies are required to address underlying causes, such as trauma or complex grief.

Therapy
Current treatments for depression include a variety of therapies. Many individuals respond well to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a short-term form of therapy that focuses on changing the way one thinks and feels by targeting behaviors. This therapy model, along with Solution Focused Therapy, is a favorite among funding agencies and insurance companies, as it generally only takes between 6 to 20 sessions, compared with longer-term treatments. Other forms of therapy include, but are not limited to, Emotion Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and more. Regardless of which therapeutic modality is selected, it is important to find a therapist that feels comfortable and has a professional designation or license, such as a registered Psychologist or a Marriage and Family Therapist.

When to call a doctor or mental health professional
While it is important to respect the wishes and desires of a friend or family member suffering from depression, there are some instances where it is vital to step in and take control. This is particularly true if the individual suffering from depression is at an imminent risk causing bodily harm. To determine if an individual is feeling unsafe, the question must be posed. It is all right to ask if someone is having thoughts of suicide. If uncertain how to proceed with raising the question or what to do if the answer is yes, contact a local mental health facility, doctor or crisis line for assistance. If an individual is also experiencing symptoms of psychosis, such as hearing voices or seeing things, or their symptoms of depression are likely to cause physical illness (i.e. from lack of food) then it is advisable to seek the opinion of a mental health professional.

Prevention
Can depression be prevented? To know this for certain, the cause of depression would have to be known. However, there are many things that can be done to promote positive mental health, including connecting often with peers, taking time to relax and rejuvenate, meditating, exercising regularly, and maintaining proper nutrition. It might also be beneficial to seek the support of a qualified mental health professional during times of transition in one’s life, such as divorce, career change or losses. Maintaining emotional, physical and spiritual health can promote positive mental health.

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or an attack on the immune system, and your body can respond quickly. Normally, inflammation goes away after the assault on your body is overcome. If your body cannot overcome the problem with inflammation, then the immune system takes over.

Chronic inflammation itself is not the problem, but it is a sign of other problems, and it is caused by a poor diet, not genetics. Allergens cause inflammation, but most people are not aware of food allergies because the symptoms are delayed and subtle. Foreign chemicals cause an inflammatory reaction that blood tests can measure.

Inflammation plays a role in obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, dementia, Alzheimer’s, irritable bowel syndrome, Chrohn’s, autoimmune disorders, Types I and II diabetes, hypoglycemia, arthritis, leaky gut, asthma, joint pain, allergies, osteoporosis, depression, obesity, kidney stones, eczema, acne, infertility, endometriosis, atherosclerosis, and many other diseases.

Causes of inflammation

Inflammation can be increased by sugar, starch, fried food, gluten (found in wheat and other grains) pasteurized dairy products, antibiotics, birth control pills, pesticides (found in all non-organic foods), soft drinks, diet soft drinks, meat (especially processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, and sausage), hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, polyunsaturated oils, MSG (which can be called yeast extract), table salt (but not natural sea salt), and foods cooked at high temperatures (pizza and baked foods). Unavoidable environmental toxins such as aluminum, mercury, industrial chemicals, and environmental toxins also contribute to inflammation.

Natural remedies for inflammation

Powerful anti-inflammatory foods include cherries, celery, cucumbers, carrots, peppers, peppermint, olive oil, chamomile and green tea. Omega-3 fatty acids have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, especially when they are consumed in a diet that reduces the omega-6 oils found in processed and fried foods. Rosemary, turmeric, and oregano oil are just a few of the herbs that have proven to fight inflammation. Stevia is a natural sweetener that can be used in drinks and cooking.

Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory that has been scientifically proven. It is found in many foods, including salmon and trout, which eat the algae, plants, and phytoplankton that produce astaxanthin. It has no known negative side effects, and it is also an antioxidant which benefits the brain, immune system, central nervous system, eyes, and skin, and can speed up recovery after workouts. A positive side effect is that it a natural internal sunscreen, so it protects you from sunburn and sun damage.

Ginger has been scientifically proven to prevent inflammation and to have anti-inflammatory effects, especially in the colon. Ginger is also a strong antioxidant, which increase blood flow to bodily extremities. Organically grown ginger root can be used as a spice, in smoothies, or as a supplement.

When shopping for herbal remedies, look for products that use supercritical extraction. Many companies use hexane, which is an explosive petrochemical. Supercritical extraction uses carbon dioxide that is pulled out of the air, used in the extraction process, and then allowed to evaporate from the mixture.

By understanding how inflammation affects your health, you can make simple changes. Within weeks, you will be reaping the benefits.

The role of hormones

Hormones are messengers to your cells, and most hormones are secreted by glands. There are receptors on each cell to receive these messengers, so that the cells know how to respond. Persistent belly fat, low energy, brain fog, and low libido are a few of the signs that your hormones may be out of balance, and bringing the lesser known hormones into balance will also improve the balance of the other hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, DHEA, and adrenaline.

Growth hormones promote protein synthesis and fat burning, and help to shift your body from burning glycogen to burning fat. With adequate growth hormones, your body will burn fat instead of sugar and your insulin sensitivity will improve. When you are hungry and you refrain from eating, your body stimulates growth hormones.

Insulin and growth hormones do not coexist well. When your insulin is high, your growth hormones are low, and vice versa. Insulin is secreted by your pancreas in response to sugar in the blood, but it also promotes fat storage. Even if your goal is to gain weight, learning to work with your insulin can help you to gain muscle weight rather than fat, since body fat and energy levels are controlled by insulin.

Insulin stores sugar, and overeating or eating too often causes your body to go into fat storage mode. Unless it is necessary for you to eat many times a day, eating meals less than an interval of 5 to 6 hours causes elevated levels of insulin in your body all day.

When insulin is out of balance, it causes insulin resistance, and your cells no longer respond to the insulin hormone. Even though sugar usually gets a bad rap, flour, high fructose corn syrup, refined foods, excess carbohydrates, processed foods, hydrogenated oils, and oxidized fats all contribute to increased blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. When insulin is working well, it is possible to bring your hormones into balance.

The role of the hormone leptin in fat burning

Leptin is a protein hormone that regulates energy intake and expenditure, and is produced by your fat cells, not by a gland.  Leptin partners with insulin, and exists in direct proportion to the number of fat cells in your body. It signals your brain that you are full and to stop eating. Excess fat causes leptin resistance when your hypothalamus (which regulates your appetite and metabolic rate) turns off its receptors for leptin, causing your brain to think that you are hungry. Then your hypothalamus sends a message to your thyroid to go into starvation mode, which slows down your metabolism.

When you eat, sugar goes into your blood stream and triggers insulin release. Insulin enlarges your cells and releases leptin, which signals the pancreas to reduce insulin. When your insulin levels are reduced, leptin goes to work to keep you burning to fat. Eating meals too close together causes constant high levels of insulin, which continues for about three hours after eating. Insulin barely gets down to normal levels before it shoots back up again, so leptin does not have a chance to burn fat. Waiting 5 to 6 hours between meals helps this process work normally, and triggers your liver to release fat to burn. If you find it difficult to go at least 5 or 6 hours without getting hungry between meals, it is a sign of a hormone disruption.

The role of the hormone glucagon in fat burning

Insulin triggers your body to store fuel, but another hormone, glucagon, triggers burning fuel and keeps your blood sugar stable between meals. Glucagon is secreted by your pancreas when your blood sugar falls too low. Glucagon triggers your liver to release fat and to convert stored sugars into glucose to release into your bloodstream.

The role of the hormone ghrelin in fat burning

Ghrelin is a hormone and amino acid that is produced mostly in the stomach lining and pancreas.  Eating suppresses ghrelin production, and ghrelin is responsive to leptin and insulin. When you are hungry, your stomach produces high levels of ghrelin, which stimulates your appetite and growth hormone production, which promotes fat burning and muscle sparing.

How to keep your hormones in fat burning mode

By learning to listen to your body and understanding the role of hormones, especially the less commonly discussed hormones in fat burning, you can build more muscle and lose fat more easily. By adjusting the amount of time between meals and the timing of meals, getting plenty of rest, and eating sensibly, you can turn your body into a healthy, fat burning machine.

• Eat omega-3 fatty acid rich foods. Omega 3 fats help your hormones to function efficiently. Chia seeds, algae, walnuts, krill oil, fish oil, and cold water fish are high in omega-3 but low in omega-6. It is best to keep a ratio of 2:1 of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, but a 1:1 ratio is better.
• Avoid eating at least three hours before bedtime, or five hours if you have a heavy meal.
• Gradually increase the amount of time between meals, even if it is only 5or 15 minutes at a time.
• Wait at least an hour after exercise to eat, especially carbohydrates.
• Eat greens and cut down on carbohydrates for meals, especially early in the day.
• Wait 5 to 6 hours between meals to eat again (but don’t let this lead to binge eating at meals).
• Get plenty of sleep. Sleep deprivation slows down your growth hormone production.
• If you must snack between meals, avoid carbohydrates and fats by eating something that is digested quickly such as a green smoothie or green drink

The survey found the increase in numbers despite the risks associated with surgery and other invasive weight loss techniques. For instance, bariatric surgery could lead to risks such as internal bleeding, blood clots and even death. In addition, less invasive procedures like gastric binding are associated with major complications following surgery. Many patients have had their bands removed due to these complications.

Even so, researchers found that benefits far outweighed potential risks. A large majority of reports that were surveyed document the metabolic benefits of bariatric surgery. That is why people suffering from morbid obesity are willing to undergo bariatric surgery in spite of the associated risks.

Researchers believe that one of the reasons behind higher numbers of bariatric surgery could be greater exposure to less invasive laparoscopic surgical methods like gastric binding, which makes people more willing to accept bariatric surgery.

For this study, data on weight loss surgeries was taken from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the period ranging from 2003 to 2008. At the start of the study period, weight loss surgeries accounted for 20% while by 2008, this had jumped to more than 90%. In 2008 alone, approximately 125,000 surgeries were performed.  It was further noted that the in-house mortality rate associated with these procedures fell from .21 to .10 percent in the same period.

Although the study involves the embryos of cows, experts opine that the kind of saturated fatty acids that the embryos were exposed to is similar to that found in the ovaries of overweight, obese or diabetic women. Therefore, a comparable environment could have a similar effect on the human embryo and hamper its normal development too.

The study was conducted by scientists at the University of Antwerp, who said that bovine eggs were chosen for the study because cows could be induced to develop metabolic disorders that contributed to reduced fertility (as is the case of diabetes in human beings). Thus, the similarity to the condition of human embryo is very high.

Preceding the study, experts already knew of the detrimental effects of fatty acids on the developing egg within the ovary. However, this was the first time a study established the impact of fatty acids on a living embryo. The embryos were exposed to the conditions eight days after fertilization, by which time it had already developed 70-100 cells. Following exposure, the embryos displayed elevation in glucose metabolism and changes in metabolism of lactate, glucose and oxygen. In addition to changes in metabolism, the research also found that the embryos showed indications of being under elevated degrees of cellular stress, which could ultimately lead to decreased chances of survival of the embryo.

Diabetic, obese and overweight people metabolize larger quantities of stored fat, which results in higher levels of fatty acids in the ovaries. Previous studies have shown that high levels of fatty acids in the ovaries could be toxic to pre-ovulated eggs. The current study shows the detrimental effects of elevated fatty acid concentrations on the growing embryo too.

The finding drew upon 10 international studies that took into consideration more 200,000 middle-aged and older adults, and it found that increase in intake of 1,000 mg of potassium lowered the risk of suffering stroke in the next 14 years by 11%.

In the study, although an increase in potassium intake mitigated the risk of stroke, the impact was dependent on other factors like the age of the patient, the amount of regular exercise, smoking habits and so on.

Previous studies have indicated that healthy potassium levels in the diet helps maintain steady blood pressure and protects the heart as well as the brain. It is also known that potassium aids in the excretion of excess fluids from the body.

The mineral potassium works in aiding nerve and muscle control. It also aids in regulating blood pressure and maintaining the fluid balance of the body. More than 80% of stroke cases occur due to blockage in the artery leading to the brain. This is known as ischemic stroke. Potassium is particularly effective in protecting the body against this kind of stroke.

It must be remembered that in many developed countries like the US, people partake of a diet that is rich in sodium (salt) and poor in potassium, which is particularly harmful. Interestingly, high potassium foods are typically healthy foods, including low-fat dairy, beans and fruits like bananas.

Thus, the study unearths one more reason to increase the amount of fresh fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy in the daily diet.

Recently, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health have published a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that establishes a strong link between eating red meat and elevated risks of developing Type2 diabetes.

According to the study, eating 50 grams of processed red meat daily increased risks of developing Type2 Diabetes by more than 51%. On the other hand, risks were much lower (19%) if the red meat was unprocessed. Furthermore, it was seen that risks went down considerably if red meat was replaced by healthy food choices like nuts, whole grains and low-fat dairy.

The study thus offers a clear indication of factors that contribute to Type2 Diabetes. Given the fact that diabetes has almost reached epidemic levels in many parts of the world, findings such as these can offer valuable clues to its causes. The study clearly shows that replacing harmful food choices with healthy ones can lead to reduced risks of developing this dreaded disorder.

In this context, it must be remembered that diabetes affects more than 350 million adults all over the world, and the numbers aren’t showing any signs of abatement. Through data from such studies, there is the possibility to bring down these numbers in the coming years through proper food management.

The same applies to most physicians too. Interestingly, it was found that certain specializations attracted more claims. Neurosurgeons and heart surgeons are examples. On the other hand, pediatricians and psychiatrists faced the least number of claims. However, it was seen that when pediatricians were involved in a claim, they had to part with considerable amounts of money, mostly because young children were involved.

According to the study, there is pain on both sides of the divide. While patients deal with the pain of unfair loss, they often do not have the money to file claims. The costs include hiring experts for the case, hiring witnesses and so on. In some states, there are caps on how much money may be awarded for malpractice claims. Besides, doctors and their insurers have more money power. Unless a case has high merit, no one would take the same to court. Therefore, only a very small fraction of medical mistakes are dragged to court. On the other hand, doctors hate the prospect of fighting claims because their names get besmirched in the process.

Other findings of the study include the following facts:

• Approximately 7.5% of doctors face a claim every year.
• Of the above, less than 2% were subjected to a successful claim, in which case money was paid out by the insurer.

However, the study offers no suggestions as to how a greater number of patients may be secured from experiencing injury/harm/loss etc. It appears that more needs to be done to protect people from malpractice.

There is, in fact, nothing new in the findings published by this study because several health organizations have already reported the importance of regular exercise on health. Actually, the WHO recommends about 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. However, it is a fact that many people in developed and developing countries avoid strenuous physical activities altogether. It is also true that the exact impact of low volume exercise has not been studied in great depth.

The current study looked at a large cross-section of people by dividing them into groups such as inactive, low activity, medium activity, high activity and very high activity levels.

The results of the study showed that even those who are consistently inactive can improve their health significantly through low-volume activity. 92 minutes of physical activity in a week (equivalent to 15 minutes of physical activity in a day) could reduce the risk of death by 14%. Any additional exercise led to significant improvement in health. For instance, increasing physical activity by a further 15 minutes reduced the risk of death by 4%. The study also found that exercise could reduce the risk of death by cancer in individuals suffering from the deadly disease.

Interestingly, it was found that these benefits were available to people of all ages and both the sexes. Even those who were suffering from heart diseases and other metabolic diseases like diabetes gained benefits from physical exercise.

While consistent physical activity impacts health positively, it is necessary to choose exercises that suit the individual’s age, sex and physical conditions. For example, a person suffering from heart disease should seek the advice of their doctor before taking up strenuous activities like running and weight lifting. Even those people who have been leading relatively active lifestyles must consult their doctor before going full throttle with a chosen exercise program.

An optimal exercise regime is one that combines the right physical activity with the proper techniques and is implemented consistently for a certain period of time. Such a regime offers large benefits over a long period of time. So, if health and wellness are a priority, then, there is no option but to sweat it out!

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), Fluoride is perfectly safe for health. However, studies conducted by several agencies agencies, including the EPA (Environmental protection Agency), show otherwise.

Several studies point out that Fluoride may be classified as a ‘Neurotoxin’, which is a substance that attacks the nerve cells. Only five substances have so far been classified as neurotoxins. These include lead, methyl mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, arsenic and toluene.

These studies also reported some association between exposure to Fluoride and several problems in growing children. Reduced IQ is one such problem. Fluoride exposure could also be at the root of abnormal neurobehavioral development. In some cases, high Fluoride levels could be one of the reasons for abortion in pregnant women. Some studies have shown that animals exposed to Fluoride suffered from brain damage.

The above facts are a source of worry for many because statistics reveal that the number of children suffering from impaired/damaged brain functions is increasing significantly. Although the actual cause of such diseases is not known with any degree of certainty, it is obvious that the brain deserves to get maximum protection. Imbibing neurotoxins through drinking water is not the best way to protect man’s most important resource. Some studies show that children who drink as little as one glass of Fluoride enriched water every day could suffer from brain damage.

It is not just the brain that is under attack from over exposure to Fluoride. Some studies suggest that 41% of children in the US suffer from some kind of dental fluorosis. Some sections of the population are more vulnerable than the rest. Children with poor nutrition are highly vulnerable to the action of Fluoride. Some studies show that children belonging to the African American and Mexican American communities may suffer from more acute types of dental fluorosis. The damage wrecked on infants who take in Fluoride through formula mixed with this water may be too high to imagine.

The nature of harm done by Fluoride depends on the actual dosage of Fluoride that goes into the body. Unfortunately, people are encouraged to drink lots of water. So, it is quite possible that large doses of Fluoride are finding their way into the body.

In such a scenario, it is most important to establish safety norms by determining the level of maximum contaminant allowable.