20 October 2012
Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may alleviate symptoms of depression in elderly patients, says a new Italian study.
In the randomized controlled trial, 46 depressed females aged between 66 and 95 years received 2.5gm of omega-3 fatty acids – eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in a ratio of 2:1 – per day or a placebo for eight weeks (1). At the beginning of the study all participants had very low levels of omega-3 fatty acids, in particular of EPA, in red blood cell membranes compared to healthy subjects. The study results showed that the women who took the omega-3 fatty acid supplement had significantly reduced symptoms of depression compared to those in the placebo group. The reduction of symptoms was accompa-nied by changes in the participants’ omega-3 fatty acid status: the supplementation seemed to be able to restore the EPA concentration in red blood cell membranes to normal values, while the blood EPA and DHA concentrations after supplementation did not increase as much as the value observed in healthy subjects.
The researchers commented that these findings confirm the positive effects of increased omega-3 fatty acid intake in the treatment of depression in the elderly. Depression is common in late life: both major and minor depression are reported in 13% of community dwelling older adults, 24% of older medical out-patients, 30% of older acute care patients and 43% of nursing home dwelling older adults.
5 September 2012
According to new research from the US, the risk of diseases, such as hip fractures, heart attacks and cancer, increases when the blood concentration of vitamin D falls below 20 ng/milliliter or 50 nmol/liter.
1 November 2013
In addition to normal, age-related deterioration in brain function, the risk of a pathological decline in mental and intellectual abilities increases with age. Typical of such diseases – collectively called dementia, although there are several sub-forms – is deterioration in memory capacity, cognitive performance, language and practical skills. As a consequence, those affected can no longer perform everyday tasks. The most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, a form in which harmful proteins (plaques) accumulate in the nerve cells of the brain, and vascular dementia, characterized by narrowing of the blood vessels due to atherosclerosis. Since dementia cannot at present be cured, early recognition and prophylaxis are extremely important. In addition to regular physical exercise and mental activity, a balanced and micronutrient-rich diet can help prevent the onset and combat the progression of dementia.
15 January 2012
In addition to its function as a component of thyroid hormones, elemental iodine plays an important role in the regulation of thyroid activity and protects against microbes in the secretions of mucous membranes.
