Health News__
Fish Oils Helpful For Mild Depression

.....Diet and nutrition may play a key role in helping people fight depression. A number of nutrients, including polyunsaturated fatty acids have the potential to influence mood by increasing the absorption of chemical messengers in the brain. The journal Nutrition and Dietetics suggests that fish and the oils they contain, in particular omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, are protective against depression.

High Blood DHA (Omega 3) Levels May Lower Dementia Risk

.....High blood levels of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which belongs to the class of nutrients called essential fatty acids, may protect against the development of dementia and perhaps Alzheimer's disease. The Archives of Neurology report examined associations between blood DHA levels and dementia risk in 899 men and women free of dementia. They had their blood fatty acids measured at an average of 76 years old. After 9.1 years of follow-up, 99 subjects had developed dementia. Seventy-one of the cases were classified as Alzheimer's disease.
.....After controlling for other risk factors for dementia including age, gender, genotype, and elevated homocysteine, the team found that men and women with the highest DHA levels had a 47 percent reduction in risk of developing dementia and a 39 percent reduction in the risk of Alzheimer's disease compared with those with less DHA. The high level was probably achieved by consuming more than 2.8 fish meals per week or about 180 milligrams DHA per day. DHA can also be obtained in fish oil capsules.

Osteoporosis_________________________

..... Osteoporosis is sometimes called the “silent disease” because many people do not notice symptoms until they break a bone. Symptoms for older people may include:
• fractures of the hip, wrist, or vertebrae (back bone)
• back pain • loss of height
• vertebral collapse, which shortens and curves the spine
..... Osteoporosis affects about one in four women over the age of 50 and one in eight men over 50. You are more at risk of osteoporosis if you:
• are 65 years or older
• are of Caucasian or Asian descent
• have a history of osteoporosis in your family
• have a thin (small-boned) frame and low body weight
• do not have a period for more than three months (unless you are on birth control pills)
• started menopause before age 45
..... You have an increased risk for osteoporosis if you:
• eat lots of high-protein foods • drink a lot of alcohol or caffeinated beverages
• do not get enough calcium or vitamin D
• do not do much weight-bearing exercise
..... Talk to your doctor if you have risk factors for osteoporosis. There are several ways to determine how much bone mass you have lost. Your doctor may recommend a heel ultrasound, bone density scan, or other tests.
..... You can reduce your risk for osteoporosis by making healthy choices about what you put into your body. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables — at least 5–10 servings a day. This will give you nutrients that help keep your bones strong and prevent fractures. Other things you can do to help prevent osteoporosis include getting enough calcium, getting enough vitamin D, and staying physically active.