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Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Cutting back on calories? Experts reveal how it affects the mind
A recent study in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health reveals a potential link between low-calorie diets and depressive symptoms, particularly in men and overweight individuals. Researchers analyzed data from over 28,000 adults, finding that calorie-restrictive diets correlated with higher depressive symptom scores. Calorie counting is not a new thing, but today, more and more people are growing conscious of their calorie intake. No wonder low-calorie diets continue to dominate health trends. But is it beneficial for you? Cutting back on calories may seem the right step, especially if you have a certain fitness goal or are on a weight loss plan. However, a new study suggests that the low-calorie diet might be making you grumpy. A new study published in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health looked at the link between low-calorie diets and depressive symptoms. Diet and depression The researchers found that low-calorie diets are linked to heightened risk of depressive symptoms. They observed that men and the overweight are especially vulnerable to the effects of restrictive eating. The researchers explained that a 'healthy' diet rich in minimally processed foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lean proteins and fish, is generally associated with a lower risk of depression, however, an 'unhealthy' diet, dominated by ultra-processed foods, refined carbs, saturated fats, processed meats and sweets, is generally associated with a heightened risk. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mistura chinesa faz cabelo crescer e homem fica irreconhecível Resultados em 30 dias Undo As people follow different types of diets for health or medical reasons, including those that restrict calories or particular nutrients, they wanted to understand whether these other dietary patterns might be associated with a risk of depressive symptoms. The study To understand the mental health implications of specific diet types, the researchers analyzed data from 28,525 adults (14,329 women and 14,196 men) who participated in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2007 and 2018. Participants also completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a tool used to measure the severity of depressive symptoms. The findings were shocking. 2508 people (just under 8%) reported depressive symptoms, and 7995 participants (29%) had a healthy weight; 9470 (33%) were overweight; and 11060 (38%) were obese. The participants were asked about their diet, and based on the dietary patterns, they were categorised into 4 groups: (1) calorie-restrictive; (2) nutrient-restrictive (low in fat/cholesterol, sugar, salt, fibre, or carbs); (3) established dietary patterns (adapted for diabetes, for example); and (4) not on a diet. Most participants (25,009, 87%) said they weren't on any specific diet . 2026 (8%) of them followed a calorie-restrictive diet, 859 (3%) a nutrient-restrictive diet, and 631 (2%) an established dietary pattern. 90% of men and 85% of women said they weren't on a diet. Calorie restriction was reported in obese participants (1247;12%) and those who were overweight (594; 8%). The researchers also noticed that nutrient-restrictive and established dietary patterns were less commonly reported, with the highest proportion of established dietary pattern users among obese participants (359; 3%). The study found that PHQ-9 scores, a measure of depressive symptom severity were 0.29 points higher among those on calorie-restrictive diets compared with those not following any specific diet. For overweight individuals following such diets, the increase was even greater: 0.46 points higher for calorie-restrictive diets and 0.61 points higher for nutrient-restrictive diets. They found that calorie-restrictive diets were linked to higher cognitive-affective symptom scores (measure of relationship between thoughts and feelings) while nutrient-restrictive diets were associated with higher somatic symptom scores (excessive distress and anxiety about physical symptoms). These scores also varied by gender. A nutrient-restrictive diet was associated with higher cognitive-affective symptom scores in men than in women not on a diet, while all 3 types of diet were associated with higher somatic symptom scores in men. Also, people with obesity following an established dietary pattern had higher cognitive-affective and somatic symptom scores than those of a healthy weight not on a diet. What are the experts saying The findings contradict previous research that suggested low calorie diets improve depressive symptoms. 'This discrepancy may arise because prior studies were primarily randomised controlled trials (RCTs) where participants adhered to carefully designed diets ensuring balanced nutrient intake. In contrast, real-life calorie-restricted diets and obesity often result in nutritional deficiencies (particularly in protein, essential vitamins/minerals) and induce physiological stress, which can exacerbate depressive symptomatology including cognitive-affective symptoms,' the researchers said. They also suggested that another possible explanation might be a failure to lose weight or weight cycling—losing weight and then putting it back on. 'Diets low in carbohydrates (glucose) or fats (omega-3s) may theoretically worsen brain function and exacerbate cognitive-affective symptoms, especially in men with greater nutritional needs,' they added. Professor Sumantra Ray, Chief Scientist and Executive Director of the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, in a statementsaid, 'This study adds to the emerging evidence linking dietary patterns and mental health, raising important questions about whether restrictive diets which are low in nutrients considered beneficial for cognitive health, such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12, may precipitate depressive symptoms. ' Emergency Op For Viktor Krum Actor; Stanislav Yanevski's Shocking Health Crisis 'But the effect sizes are small, with further statistical limitations limiting the generalisability of the findings. Further well designed studies that accurately capture dietary intake and minimise the impact of chance and confounding are needed to continue this important line of inquiry,' Ray added. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Scientists reveal how THIS weekly habit can fight depression
Mental health is one of the most concerning issues all around the world nowadays, with depression being the most common and prevalent of them all. While not universally agreed upon, the rise in depression and its global impact have led many to consider it an epidemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has described depression as an epidemic, noting its significant contribution to global disease burden, while estimating that 5% of adults globally experience depression, which translates to about 280 million people. This includes 4% of men and 6% of women, with 5.7% of adults older than 60 years also experiencing depression. While the global prevalence has remained relatively stable, the burden of depression, including the number of cases and impact on lives, has not been significantly reduced despite evidence of effective interventions. In the United States of America alone – as per the National Institutes of Health (NIH) – an estimated 21 million adults experience at least one major depressive episode annually, with women being more affected than men. The prevalence of depression is higher among certain demographics, including young adults, individuals with lower family income, and those with less than a high school education. Although these statistics might sound somewhat terrifying, depression is not beyond cure. In fact, as per a new research – scientists have revealed how a simple weekly practice helps fight depression. Read on to know more. What does the study say? While factors such as outdoor activities, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and robust social connections are widely recognized for enhancing mental well-being, recent research has revealed that sexual activity is also gaining attention as a potential contributor. As per the research, there may be an optimal frequency for sexual activity that contributes to improved mental health. A study conducted by experts at Shantou University Medical College in China examined the sexual habits of 15,794 adults in the United States, aged 20 to 59. The study aimed to explore the relationship between sexual activity and psychological well-being , specifically investigating how lower self-reported sexual frequency might correlate with higher chances of depression, as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). What are the findings? The findings suggest that engaging in sexual activity once or twice a week may help reduce the risk of depression, particularly among participants in the younger age group of 20 to 30 years. The researchers believe that the mental health benefits derived from sexual activity may be linked to the release of hormones such as endorphins and dopamine during the experience. The study concluded: "A sexual frequency of 1-2 times per week showed the greatest protective effects on psychological well-being and may serve as a reference standard for mental health evaluation and monitoring during depression treatment." However, the authors also noted the need for further research to clarify the direction of this relationship and identify any potential modifiers. Professor Mutong Chen, one of the co-authors of the study, highlighted that sexual activity offers numerous advantages to overall well-being and quality of life, regardless of sexual orientation, thereby significantly influencing mental health. What is depression? Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a common mental disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how a person feels, thinks, and behaves, potentially leading to various emotional and physical problems. Key characteristics: Persistent sadness: Depression is characterized by a prolonged period of feeling sad, low, or empty. Loss of interest: Individuals with depression often lose interest or pleasure in activities they once enjoyed. Impact on daily life: Depression can significantly disrupt daily activities, such as work, school, or social interactions. Variety of symptoms: Symptoms can include changes in appetite, sleep patterns, energy levels, concentration, and self-esteem. Underlying factors: Depression results from a complex interplay of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Deepika looks fierce in this video on how to fight 'depression'
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Breakthrough study shows model that reduces suicide rates 25%, and authors hope for more
Over the last two decades, suicide rates in the United States have increased by more than 36%, as part of a larger mental health crisis. But Monday, top researchers indicated they have cracked the code to turning that around. They're so confident they call it the zero-suicide model. Researchers from Henry Ford Health and Kaiser Permanente released the results of data collected over eight years — and ideas refined since 2001 — in the Journal of American Medical Association. The new body of research suggests that by adopting this zero-suicide protocol, health care systems across the country and beyond can reduce suicide rates among their patients by 25%. "We don't want to be satisfied with a 5% reduction, or even a 25% reduction that we've seen in this study," said Brian Ahmedani, lead author of the study, who also serves as the director of research for behavioral health services at Henry Ford Health in Michigan. "We want to keep moving forward so that we can do everything we can to prevent every single suicide." One of the confounding issues with suicide is that, while it is one of the leading causes of death across every age group in the United States, it is 100% preventable. Here's what the research shows. More than 80% of people who died by suicide, and more than 90% of people who attempted suicide, visited a doctor's office in the weeks or months leading up to their deaths or suicide attempts. The idea behind the zero-suicide model is that when patients sit down with their primary care providers, they're given a suicide risk screening. The screening involves filling out what's called a PHQ-9, a nine-question patient health questionnaire, which is typically administered as a screening for depression. The point of focus is question nine, which asks how often, over the course of the last two weeks, have you had thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself. The response scale ranges from "Not at all" to "Nearly every day." Depending on the severity of the response, physicians conduct a suicide risk assessment. Then, a safety plan is put into place. That safety plan includes asking whether the patient has easy-to-access firearms and, if so, to go over safe and secure storage. It includes having care teams reach out semi-regularly in the coming days to assess how the patient is doing and help navigate outpatient care options. The patient is also, if needed, connected with intensive psychotherapy approaches geared specifically to suicide prevention. Between January 2012 and December 2019, researchers collected data from millions of patients in six health systems across California, Oregon, Michigan, Colorado and Washington. An important element to the zero-suicide model, Ahmedani said, was ensuring that it could apply across different populations and regions. It tried to answer the question of whether the model worked among Black patients, LGBTQ+ patients, rural patients, low-income patients, and other groups. The research showed it can. The protocol is shaped by the locality of the clinic, the resources available and, importantly, the staff that administers the model. "It's really important that, when you do this work, it's done in a way that we know that it can actually be implemented, rather than trying to stick to a really structured approach," Ahmedani said. Ahmedani said that level of global training and support has already started across other states and around the world. As a trial run for how this model can be used across different health care systems, Michigan established a program called "My Mind" that works in partnership between Henry Ford Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield, the largest insurer in the state. Staff from My Mind are equipping providers across the state with training and support of the zero-suicide model. Along the way, those providers are working with researchers on data and quality improvement to better tailor the model to them. Although the data overwhelming shows the vast majority of people who attempt or die by suicide see their primary care provider prior to their deaths, researchers are thinking about creative strategies for that other 27% of the population that does not regularly go to the doctor. For example, 21% of people who die by suicide have had some interaction with the criminal justice system in the year before they died. So researchers are applying the zero-suicide model to people who have recently been released from prison. Another high-risk period occurs shortly after someone is discharged from the emergency department or inpatient hospital for behavioral health conditions. Finding interventions for children and adolescents also is critical at a time when, in Wisconsin, more than 60% of students said they felt anxious, depressed or suicidal in the last year. Researchers have developed the zero-suicide model in schools to create what Ahmedani described as a cross-community partnership. Ahmedani and other researchers believe the solution to achieving zero suicides will come from such cross-community collaborations. In the same way that public health departments collaborated with barber shops and churches to help build vaccine trust in communities that don't have positive experiences with the medical world, the same can be done to help those struggling with suicidal ideation. "We're building those bridges at Henry Ford right now and testing those models," Ahmedani said. "And I believe that in the next few years, we're certainly going to have those kinds of approaches seeping into the community." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Groundbreaking study shows model that can reduce suicide rates by 25%
