Bone loss is dangerous since it may lead to osteoporosis, which increases the risk for fractures. Osteoporosis affects one in three women over 50, making it the most widespread degenerative disease in the developed world.

Since there haven’t been many large studies on the association between depression and osteoporosis, the US National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization haven’t recognized depression as an official risk factor for osteoporosis. Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers want to help make the association official. They studied data from all research on the subject using a statistical approach called meta-analysis. The data studied was from 23 research projects conducted in eight countries. The study compared bone density among 2,327 people suffering from depression and 21,141 non-depressed people.

The study results revealed that depressed people have much lower bone density than non-depressed people. Another finding is that depression is associated with elevated activity of osteoclasts — cells that break down bone. The study findings were published in Biological Psychiatry.

In light of their study results, Prof. Raz Yirmiya and Prof. Itai Bab, both of Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggest that:

“all individuals psychiatrically diagnosed with major depression are at risk for developing osteoporosis, with depressed young women showing the highest risk. These patients should be periodically evaluated for progression of bone loss and signs of osteoporosis, allowing the use of anti-osteoporotic prophylactic and therapeutic treatments.”

(Image via flickr/Erik Charlton)

Post from: Blisstree

Depression as Risk Factor for Bone Loss

According to a new study published in Current Biology, a baby’s first cries carry an accent. French infants don’t cry the same way as German infants. For the study, researchers compared recordings of 30 French and 30 German infants that were between two and five days old. The languages are very different since French words often have a stress at the end, while that’s opposite in German.

Newborns from France frequently produced “rising crying tones”, while German babies used a “falling intonation.” The cries reflect the differing intonation patterns between the languages. Researchers think these differences are perceived in the uterus and are later reproduced.

Angela Friederici, one of the Directors at the Max Planck Institute, said that while hearing in the uterus is restricted due to the amniotic fluid, “What gets through are primarily the melodies and intonation of the respective language.” Researchers believe that this learned melody provides the foundation for learning language. Babies don’t have to start completely from scratch.

While scientists had previously known that native language exposure influenced infants, they didn’t realize that sound production was influenced as early as the first days of life.

The researchers for this study include Birgit Mampe of the University of Wurzburg in Germany, Angela D. Friederici of the Max-Planck-Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Germany, Anne Christophe of the Ecole Normale Superieure/CNRS in France, and Kathleen Wermke of the University of Wurzburg.

(Image via MorgueFile)

Post from: Blisstree

Babies Learn in Womb, Cry with Accent

SELF analyzed lots of data in around 50 categories like disease and mortality rates, lifestyle factors, environmental indicators and community resources. They utilized Sperling’s BestPlaces with the help of experts who weighed in on the importance of different factors.

To find out where the most fit, happy and healthy women live, view the complete rankings listed straight through to 100, or search by state to find your city.

If your city is near the bottom of the list, it’s rated a less healthy place to live for women. For example, Jackson, MS came in at number 86 with women there facing a 35% greater risk for rape than women living in other areas. Plus, there’s an above average rate of deaths from cervical, breast and colon cancers.

SELF isn’t trying to pick on cities though. They have something positive to say about all 100 metro areas listed. For example, Memphis, TN ranks at 89, but women in the city have lower rates of asthma and the water quality is good.

View the complete list at SELF, but here’s a peek at the Top Five Best Places for Women:

1. Burlington–South Burlington, VT
2. Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, MD
3. Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, ME
4. Cambridge-Newton-Framingham, MA
5. San Francisco-Oakland, CA

How does your city rank? While factors like air and water quality may be out of your control, any woman living in any city can take charge of doctor’s visits, getting proper exercise, and maintaining a healthy diet. Living in a less healthy area doesn’t mean you have to be less healthy too!

(Image via stock.xchng)

Post from: Blisstree

Most Healthy Cities for Women

Two new studies, both published in the November issue of CHEST, analyzed women and asthma.

In the birth control pill study at McMaster University in Canada, researchers studied 17 women with asthma during their menstrual cycles. The study results revealed that women with asthma taking oral contraceptives had lower exhaled nitric oxide levels (eNO) than women who were taking the pill. eNO is a marker of airway inflammation associated with asthma. Researchers think that the pill just could have a potential role in treating premenopausal women with asthma.

Another study isn’t so positive for women who take acetaminophen. Researchers from the University of British Columbia in Canada found that acetaminophen could be linked with an increased risk of asthma and wheezing in children and adults who take the popular pain reliever.

To determine the association between increased risk of asthma with acetaminophen use, researched analyzed data from 19 different clinical studies, representing a total of 425,000 participants. Results revealed that prenatal acetaminophen use increased the risk of wheezing in children by 50%, while the asthma rate in children was increased by 28%. For adults, the risk of asthma was 74% higher for adults using the drug compared to non-users. WebMD discusses this study in detail, or you can just read the highlights at Science Daily. Researchers caution that the study merely revealed an “association,” but not necessarily a cause-and-effect relationship between asthma and acetaminophen.

(Image via MorgueFile)

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Asthma News for Women

Levine is the founding trustee of the Kepler College for Astrological Arts and Sciences, a four-year educational institution in Seattle, WA. Jawer is a co-founder of the Association for Astrological Networking and the United Astrology Congress.

Levine and Jawer are the authors of Your Astrology Guide 2010. I don’t take astrology very seriously myself, but I have to admit that it can be fun. To each her own!  I’ve included below an excerpt from the team’s new book. Enjoy.

Your Astrology Guide 2010: Rick and Jeff’s Tips for the Year
by Rick Levine & Jeff Jawer, Authors of Your Astrology Guide 2010

ARIES
March 21-April 19

Conscious Self-Restraint
It’s imperative that you cut back your activities, for effective pruning allows new growth to flourish. But you may bump into deeply rooted resistances as you attempt to play a larger role on the stage of life. The contradiction now is that you are at your most brilliant and nothing can hold you back, yet paradoxically the walls of reality continue to close in. You cannot get away with shooting from the hip, even if you’re confident of your aim. The full enterprising power of Aries is yours when you accept the limits of society that require more precision this year. Whether you like it or not, you must slow down to get what you want.

TAURUS
April 20-May 20

Look Outside the Box
Your potential to transform your life is incredible this year — but your resistance to change is equally great. You don’t have to tear apart what’s working well or take crazy risks that are likely to fail. All you need to do is stretch your boundaries and allow alternative perspectives to hang around for a while to see if one might eventually fit. It’s as if a strange visitor has arrived at your door — so strange you’d prefer him to leave as soon as he arrives. But thanks to your kind heart, you let him stay the night . . . and end up discovering a close friend. Similarly, you will find happiness this year as long as you remain open to surprises.

GEMINI
May 21-June 20

Fear Not the Darkness
You can no longer be the champion of avoidance, Gemini, and that means you’re playing in a whole new ball game. If others accuse you of being shallow, it’s just because they don’t understand how fast your mind works and how it jumps from one thought to the next. Now, However, something has changed, and it may at first seem scary. Instead of planning your escape routes, you are content, even eager, to search for hidden metaphysical wealth that was previously obscured from the light of consciousness. Overcoming your own resistance to fully feeling your emotions enables you to uncover buried treasure that can enrich your life for many years to come.

CANCER
June 21-July 22

Aim for the Top
It’s better to be ambitious this year and struggle in the pursuit of your goals than to passively respond to whatever life brings you. Even if you run into obstacles, meet them on a course of your own choosing. Taking charge and pushing forward — sometimes awkwardly and sometimes with grace and confidence — are the next steps to assuming a leadership role. Your power and passion grow when you have strong allies and adversaries. Seek out those with talents you admire so that you can learn from the best. Step outside your comfort zone; you’ll discover that it’s not foolish to take risks. There are enormous rewards when you invest in your own excellence.

LEO
July 23-August 22

Ask for Help
You expect great things from yourself, Leo, and you can work quite hard once you make a sincere commitment. This is why you must now think carefully about any promises you make — to yourself or anyone else. There are powerful forces at play that can lure you into believing that anything is possible. It’s true that this year brings great potential, but exhausting yourself trying to achieve the impossible dream is not a sensible strategy. Heed the counsel of wise friends and seasoned professionals before making any life-changing decisions.

VIRGO
August 23-September 22

Fearless Warrior
Challenges to the core truths you cling to can be a source of irritation and a cause of physical, mental, and emotional fatigue. The battles you face, though, are not with outside forces but within yourself. It’s time to reexamine the ideas that have kept your life in order for years, but may be holding you back. What worked in the past won’t necessarily be effective now. The desire to return to familiar places in your mind is understandable, but it’s not likely to be productive. Certainly, you need times to retreat and take refuge in comfortable concepts. Catch your breath when you can, yet remember: You’ll grow much stronger by moving ahead than by turning back.

LIBRA
September 23-October 22

Rise to the Challenge
Although relationships can offer you a newfound sense of freedom this year, they can also distract you from the discipline you need to organize your life. The decisions you must make this year are not easy ones. You may have to be ruthless when evaluating what and who should be cut out of your life, but pruning is absolutely required to ensure maximum growth. Your overall success during the coming years will be based on your ability to pay careful attention to your long-term goals rather than short-term successes.

SCORPIO
October 23-November 21

Innocent Expression
Looking foolish is not your idea of a good time, but giving yourself permission to express yourself freely can be extremely rewarding now. Surrendering some self-control to reveal your emotion can feel risky, of course, but it’s a great way to open your heart and enhance your creativity. Making mistakes is not the road to failure but the laboratory of invention. You can surprise yourself by discovering new talents when you put away the heavy hammer of self-criticism. Being honest while also being kind is a gift to yourself and those around you. If your explorations veer off course and threaten your stability, seek wise counsel. There are angels around you who look like ordinary people, yet will gently guide you back on track.

SAGITTARIUS
November 22-December 21

Be Here Now
There is so much work ahead as you strive to make the most of your future. Running out on previous commitments won’t bring you happiness; delivering on your promises will. Try not to seek adventure in the same old dreams of world travel. This year, you can take an incredible journey of the mind without leaving home. Open yourself to new philosophies, learn about new technologies, and re-create your future by being more conscious in the present moment.

CAPRICORN
December 22-January 19

Field of Dreams
Your journey this year could be one of extremes as the most visionary planets — Jupiter and Uranus — light up your life with exciting new perceptions while the most conservative ones — Saturn and Pluto — keep stepping in to turn down the volume of your enthusiasm. You can avoid bouncing from high hopes to deep disappointment by giving yourself time to assimilate and consider your dreams. Slowly roll them over in your mind, do some research, and talk to those you trust to help you find ways to shape them into reality. Then commit to work with patience and persistence. Remember, conceiving a brilliant idea happens in an instant, but giving birth to success takes a lot longer.

AQUARIUS
January 20-February 18

The Joy of Sharing
The emotional heights will be higher this year and the descents lower, yet you must fully experience these peaks and valleys if you hope to find a middle ground between the opposing forces pushing and pulling on you. Although you cannot avoid the changes that continue to unfold, you’re also blessed with an open mind that eagerly looks beyond the current difficulties. Don’t waste too much energy resisting the inevitable. Instead, focus on the exhilaration you’ll feel once you’ve overcome the obstacles and your life is heading in a new direction.

PISCES
February 19-March 20

Go the Distance
The highs and lows you experience this year accentuate the contrast between your greatest hopes and darkest fears. Expansive Jupiter in your sign makes your life seem so big that even the smallest act can appear to take on enormous importance. You may be exhilarated by this wild ride at times, but in the end it can be exhausting and confusing to rise so quickly and fall so fast only to rise again. Moderating your reactions with a bit of philosophical detachment reminds you that the current drama is just one moment in a life rich with experiences that you’ve encountered before and will likely meet again.

Copyright © 2009 Rick Levine & Jeff Jawer, authors of Your Astrology Guide 2010, (Sterling, July 2009).

(Image via WikiMedia Commons; Book image via Sterling)

Post from: Blisstree

Astrology 2010

I recently tried a couple of boxes of Nature’s Path organic and gluten-free cereals: Crunchy Vanilla Sunrise and Crunchy Maple Sunrise. (I received the boxes free for review.)

Both of these cereals are certified USDA organic. In addition, the Sunrise cereals are also vegetarian and free of trans fat. I’m not sure how you can get much healthier than this.

What’s inside? An organic blend of corn, rice, flax, quinoa, buckwheat and amaranth.

Both cereals are crunchy with some round puffs, as well as flakes and crisps. I preferred the Crunchy Vanilla over the Crunchy Maple. Sure, both are plenty crunchy, but I liked the more subtle vanilla flavor. The maple flavor isn’t overwhelming, but my taste buds just liked the vanilla better. Both cereals are sweet, but not so much that you feel like brushing your teeth immediately! They taste wholesome, but not bland.

If you need to maintain a gluten-free diet, or if you’re just looking for a healthy breakfast cereal, I do recommend giving Sunrise by Nature’s Path a try. I can see myself buying the Crunchy Vanilla again. A plus is that the packaging is eco-friendly, and since it’s organic, you know there’s no pesticides, herbicides or artificial additives. None of the ingredients are genetically engineered.

If you try these cereals, I’d love to know what you think. Please leave a comment. (They’re available online for $4.79 per box, or you can find a retailer.)

(Image via Nature’s Path)

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New Gluten-Free Breakfast Option

She didn’t just think about it. Andrea started the Florida Breast Health Initiative. Since 2006, Andrea and her team of volunteers have knocked on the doors of around 20,000 homes. And they’ve helped provide more than 500 mammograms to Miami area residents.

Andrea and the Florida Breast Health Initiative volunteers spread the word that “Early detection is the best protection.” They devote the first three Saturdays of each month during the fall and spring to outreach and education. That’s when they sign up women for free mammograms. Then, on the last Saturday of the month, a mobile mammography van from a partner hospital takes to the mammograms literally to the doorsteps of the women who need them. With each mammogram, the volunteers at the Florida Breast Health Initiative are potentially saving a life.

Today, Andrea is being honored by CNN Heroes during a celebratory rally in Miami. She will receive $25,000, but can receive up to $100,000 if she’s voted the CNN Hero of the Year. You can vote for her at CNN until Thursday, November 19. The CNN Hero of the Year will be announced during a star-studded gala in Hollywood. The “CNN Heroes: All All-Star Tribute” will air on Thanksgiving night.

Read more about Andrea’s story at CNN: Army of volunteers saves lives with clipboards, high spirits.

(Images provided by CNN)

Post from: Blisstree

Breast Cancer Hero Honored Today

What’s heard by tinnitus sufferers is called “phantom” noise since nothing external is causing it, and doctors often can’t hear the noises on exam either. According to Mayo Clinic, doctors can only hear a rare type of tinnitus caused by a muscular issue, blood vessel problem or an inner ear bone condition.

Despite the fact that tinnitus is so widespread, many sufferers are told that nothing can be done. Professor Susan Holmes from Canterbury Christ Church University, Kent, UK says that around 94% of patients are told there are no options for treatment.

Mr Nigel Padgham, an ENT surgery specialist from Kent and Canterbury Hospital, assisted Holmes with an extensive research review of tinnitus published in the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing.

Treating Tinnitus

According to Padgham, steps can be taken to treat tinnitus in many cases. He says that medication and surgery may be options, as well as “hearing aids to amplify external sounds and mask the tinnitus or distraction techniques, such as TV and radio.”

A key point of the study is that healthcare professionals need to address the psychosocial distress caused by tinnitus, and not simply tell patients nothing can be done. Padgham notes that the stress of dealing with tinnitus may lead to tension, frustration, anger, loss of concentration and sleep disturbance. According to the review findings, 62% of tinnitus sufferers may have a lifetime prevalence of major depression.

Tinnitus increases with age, but it may also be caused by stress or even bereavement. Many different causes of tinnitus have been discussed, but the research review found that tinnitus likely doesn’t have a single underlying cause, making it even more of a phantom menace.

(Image via stock.xchng)

Post from: Blisstree

Those Phantom Ear Noises

New research has shown that Caucasian women might suffer from restless legs syndrome up to four times more than African-American women. In the study, two out of five Caucasian women had restless legs syndrome. Researchers aren’t sure why there’s a higher prevalence of the problem among Caucasians, but Ammar Alkhazna, MD, University of Missouri said that it’s likely a “combination of factors, including a genetic predisposition to RLS, diet—including iron intake—medications, and possibly culture.”

Are women in general more likely to suffer from restless legs syndrome?

Dr. Alkhazna noted that some risk factors for restless legs syndrome are more common in women, including iron deficiency and rheumatoid arthritis.

The study was presented at CHEST 2009, the 75th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).

Kalpalatha Guntupalli, MD, FCCP, President of the American College of Chest Physicians said that restless legs syndrome is a common sleep disorder that nevertheless is not always easily recognized by either patients or their doctors.

If you’re having problems sleeping, be sure to tell your doctor about any symptoms of restless legs syndrome you may be experiencing. To help diagnose the disorder, doctors may sometimes order a polysomnogram, which records movement and other activity during sleep. Treatment may include lifestyle changes or medication.

(Image – polysomnogram -via WikiMedia Commons)

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Mysteries of Restless Legs Syndrome

The study, “Associations of Sweetened Beverages with Kidney Function Decline,” revealed significant, “two-fold increased odds” of faster kidney function decline with two or more servings per day of artificially sweetened soda. However, sugar-sweetened beverages didn’t seem to affect kidney function decline. The connection between artificially sweetened soda and kidney decline remained even after researchers accounted for factors such as age, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms by which artificial sweeteners affect kidney function haven’t been studied.

“Associations of Diet with Kidney Function Decline,” another study using the same group of Nurses’ Health Study participants, found that higher sodium intake was associated with greater kidney function decline. For a complete list of sodium sources, visit the American Heart Association. Some sources of sodium, like over-the-counter and prescription drugs, may surprise you!

The Nurses’ Health Study spanned 11 years and included more than 3,000 women, yet they were older Caucasian women, so the findings may not be as relevant to men or to women of other ethnicities.

These long-term, large-scale studies warning over high sodium intake and regular consumption of artificially sweetened soda give women yet another reason to curtail sodium intake and re-consider how often diet soda is consumed.

(Image via flickr Marcin Wichary)

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Diet Soda May Cause Faster Kidney Decline