Wellness-uptodate

  Decades ago, when people suffered from clinical depression, they were often given a group of antidepressants called tricyclic (TCAs) to help them feel better. These drugs had many and different side effects and weren’t safer than new drugs.  However, things changed when a new type of medication called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) came into widespread use. These SSRIs were much safer and easier for people to tolerate. But even though SSRIs were good news, they still have some limitations. They can sometimes make you feel more worried during the first days of the treatment.  It also takes a while for them to work and make you feel better. Some people taking SSRIs also experience problems with their sex drive, sleep, and the overall effectiveness of the treatment is not always very strong.  SSRIs may not work well for people who have symptoms like a lack of interest in things they used to enjoy and difficulties with thinking. There are other medicat...

  In a recent study, researchers were concerned about the impact of obesity on cognitive health,  Even knowing that obesity is linked to cognitive decline and problems with the brain, they investigated if giving overweight or obese women a zinc supplement could help. In the study participated 42 women aged 40 to 60 and were splitted into two groups. One group received a zinc supplement (30 mg per day), while the other received placebo, for 12 weeks. Information about these women, like age, weight, diet, and physical activity was collected. To measure cognitive function and mood, various tests and questionnaires were used. They also checked certain substances in women's saliva to understand what was happening in their bodies. The results showed that the women who took the zinc supplement had better scores in cognitive tests, even though they didn't lose weight.  This suggests that taking zinc might help overweight or obese women maintain better cognitive function, regardle...

  C. M. Sagasta, M.D. in Medium 10-26-2023. A 2004 study by Shih-Yi Huang and colleagues sheds light on an intriguing aspect of major depressive disorder, specifically the link between hypoalbuminemia and depression. In that research, they compared serum albumin levels in drug-free patients with major depressive disorder to a control group with similar diets. The study found that patients with major depressive disorder had significantly lower serum albumin levels, and the severity of depression was inversely related to albumin levels. Importantly, these findings suggested that hypoalbuminemia in depression is not simply a result of malnutrition. However, the authors stressed the need for more extensive research to confirm these findings. A recent article titled “Association between albumin and depression: a population-based study” by Sabah Al-Marwani and colleagues explores an intriguing connection. Again, the relationship between serum albumin levels and depression in a population...

A recent study explored the connection between what we eat and the likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The research, based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The study suggests that higher consumption of three essential minerals—magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), and potassium (K)—is linked to a reduced risk of RA. People who get more of these minerals in their diets might be less likely to develop this autoimmune condition. What’s good about the study is that it involved a large and diverse group of U.S. adults, making the results more relevant to the general population. The researchers also analyzed other factors that could influence the results, which adds credibility to their findings. The study also examined how the risk of RA changes with different levels of mineral intake, which provides a more nuanced understanding. However, there are some limitations to keep in mind. First, this research is a “cross-sectional” study, which mea...

Foto de Beth Macdonald en Unsplash To maintain optimal brain health and potentially slow or prevent cognitive decline, consider adopting the following practices: Maintain a Healthy Diet: Consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., fatty fish) and antioxidants (e.g., blueberries) to support brain health. Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration is essential for cognitive function, as dehydration can impair attention, memory, and motor skills. Keep Physically Active: Regular exercise promotes healthy blood flow to the brain, protects against cognitive decline, and stimulates neurogenesis. Engage in Mental Stimulation: Activities like reading, solving puzzles, and playing strategy games keep your mind active and strengthen cognitive reserve. Regularly Engage in Social Interaction: Social interactions delay cognitive decline, so consider joining clubs or volunteering for meaningful conversations and learning opportunities. Get Adequate Sleep: Quality sleep is crucial for memory consolidation a...

Taichi In a study published in Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation,  Sep 23, 2023 researchers aimed to assess the effectiveness of a mixed-mode rehabilitation program on the microcirculation of patients with coronary artery disease.  The mixed-mode Tai Chi cardiac rehabilitation program was conducted as prospective, randomized controlled study involving 26 CAD patients in a tertiary hospital. Patients were divided into two groups:  One received a 12-week Tai Chi cardiac rehabilitation program (TCCRP), including 4 weeks of in-hospital rehabilitation and 8 weeks of online rehabilitation at home,  The other group received a conventional exercise rehabilitation program (CERP). The main outcome measures focused on nailfold microcirculation, including  morphological integrals  blood flow integrals  periphery capillary loop integrals  and overall integrals. The results showed that in the TCCRP group, morphological integrals and overall integr...

DALL·E 2023-09-30 09.26.58 - Alternative Medicine and Canada A recent published paper explores the use of risk-associated alternative healthcare (RAAH) in Canada.  It surveys RAAH uptake among adults and examines the characteristics of its users and it also evaluates the effectiveness of various psychometric instruments in predicting RAAH behaviors.  The study finds that RAAH usage is influenced by factors like gender, age, income, education, employment, chronic illness, and ethnicity.  Around 40% of respondents engaged in some form of RAAH, with physical manipulation and herbal/nutritional supplements being the most common types.  More risky RAAH activities, such as toxin use and invasive procedures, were reported by about 5% of respondents.  The study shows that certain psychometric instruments can predict RAAH engagement by indicating higher risk tolerance, a desire for novelty, positive attitudes toward advertising and social influence, and positive beliefs ...