Cause of Depression in Women

Women are about twice as likely as men to suffer from depression. This two-to-one difference persists across racial, ethnic, and economic divides. In fact, this gender difference in rates of depression is found in most countries around the world. There are a number of theories that attempt to explain the higher incidence of depression in women. Many factors have been implicated, including biological, psychological, and social factors.

Biological and Hormonal Causes of Depression in Women 

• Premenstrual problems – Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can cause the familiar symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as bloating, irritability, fatigue, and emotional reactivity. For many women, PMS is mild. But for some women, symptoms are severe enough to disrupt their lives and a diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is made. 

• Pregnancy and infertility – The many hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can contribute to depression, particularly in women already at high risk. Other issues relating to pregnancy such as miscarriage, unwanted pregnancy, and infertility can also play a role in depression. 

• Postpartum depression – Many new mothers experience the “baby blues.” This is a normal reaction that tends to subside within a few weeks. However, some women experience severe, lasting depression. This condition is known as postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is believed to be influenced, at least in part, by hormonal fluctuations. 

• Perimenopause and menopause – Women may be at increased risk for depression during perimenopause, the stage leading to menopause when reproductive hormones rapidly fluctuate. Women with past histories of depression are at an increased risk of depression during menopause as well. 

• Health problems – Chronic illness, injury, or disability can lead to depression in women, as can crash dieting or quitting smoking. 

Psychological Causes of Depression in Women 

• Focusing On and Rehashing Negative Feelings – Women are more likely to ruminate when they are depressed. This includes crying to relieve emotional tension, trying to figure out why you’re depressed, and talking to your friends about your depression. However, rumination has been found to maintain depression and even make it worse. Men, on the other hand, tend to distract themselves when they are depressed. Unlike rumination, distraction can reduce depression. 

• Overwhelming Stress at Work, School, or Home – Some studies show that women are more likely than men to develop depression from stress. Furthermore, the female physiological response to stress is different. Women produce more stress hormones than men do, and the female sex hormone progesterone prevents the stress hormone system from turning itself off as it does in men.

• Body Image Issues – The gender difference in depression begins in adolescence. The emergence of sex differences during puberty likely plays a role. Some researchers point to body dissatisfaction, which increases in girls during the sexual development of puberty. 

Social causes of depression in women

As with men, social factors can also play a part in causing depression in women, along with lifestyle choices, relationships, and coping skills. These may include: 

• Marital or relationship problems; balancing the pressures of career and home life 
• Family responsibilities such as caring for children, spouse, or aging parents 
• Experiencing discrimination at work or not reaching important goals, losing or changing a job, retirement, or embarking on military service 
• Persistent money problems 
• Death of a loved one or other stressful life event that leaves you feeling useless, helpless, alone, or profoundly sad

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About Consuming Organic Food

We all know the saying “Health comes through the mouth” which is especially true for organic food produced in environmentally clean, unpolluted soil which is not chemically treated. Only organic food can provides us everything we need for normal body function. Most organic products contain more nutrients, vitamins and minerals than conventionally produced food.

Natural, environmentally friendly, organic and microbial fertilizers are used in organic production and animals are fed exclusively with natural, ecological food. Organic products look the same as products not labeled as “organic products”, but the first difference you will notice is intense smell and taste.

Why Organic?

– Better taste – Organic fruit and vegetables grow slowly and have up to 30% more dry materia level which contributes to a better taste.

– Positive effect on our health – Organic food contains more vitamin C and essential minerals including as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium, as well as antioxidants that reduce the risk of cancer. Organic milk has naturally more omega 3, vitamin A and vitamin E, and other antioxidants.

– No harmful additives – Only 32 out of 290 food additives used in the EU and USA, are allowed in organic food production. Hydrogenated fat and sodium dangerous glutamine (MSG) are some of the banned additives associated with many health problems.

– No pesticides – Banned pesticides are also known as causes of many diseases.

– No genetic modification (GMO) – Organic food can not be genetically modified.

– No antibiotics – Antibiotics are normally added to the standard diet of domestic animals, so, thus accelerating growth, this leads to antibiotic resistance in people or similar.

– There are no “hidden” pollutants – Environmental pollutants, become part of the organic food that manages to depreciation.

– High standards – Organic farming and food are inspected at least once a year.

– Animal care – In organic agriculture, animals enjoy life conditions similar to their natural life conditions– free and comfortable movement.

– Environment care– Organic farming contributes to biological diversity of life on the farm.

In one research project experts made a comparison and got these numbers: organic food contains 27% more vitamin C, 21% more iron, 29% more magnesium and 13% more phosphorus. So it is recommended to include more organic food in your diet. Very soon you will notice the positive impact on your health. Organic food is significantly approved as part of your

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Health Benefits Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 acids are actually acids that needs to our body for effective daily function. There are three types of omega 3 fatty acids, which are:

– DHA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

– EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid)

– ALA (Alpha-linolenic acid)

Studies have shown that the highest concentration of fatty acids DHA and EPA can be found in fish that live in cold water or in fish such as: salmon, mackerel and tuna.

ALA fatty acid can be found in some hazel fruits and certain vegetable oils. Important to mention is that the body converts ALA acid into DHA and EPA acid.

Omega-3 is Great for the body and the heart.

Over the last ten years, several studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids significantly improve heart health and reduce the risk of cardiac complications. Also, studies have shown that men with the lowest levels of omega-3 in their blood have a 81% more likely to experience sudden cessation of heartbeat (heart attack), of those men who have high blood levels of omega-3 acids.

Omega -3 acids helps in the work of our hearts, in a way that:

• Lower the level of triglycerides.
• Lower the level of high blood pressure
• Reduce the risk of heart attack.

Omega-3 acids are useful for the rest of the body. For example, they can help in some inflammation, such as arthritis or pain in menstrual cycle, also they are useful for the people who suffer from osteoporosis.

Omega-3 acids have a beneficial effect on mental health. Studies have shown that depression was more common in individuals who consumed small amounts or not at all consumed omega-3 fats acids. Today many experts use programs that include omega-3 fats in order to improve patients mental health. Individuals suffering from anorexia have extremely low levels of fatty acids in their diet.

As “excess fat” means weight loss?

Omega-3 acids are not only good for our general health, but also can improve the result of diet and exercise for weight loss. Studies have shown that people who are trying to lose weight with the help of exercises and diets, they can better control blood sugar and cholesterol, if omega-3 fatty acids are part of their diet.

How much omega-3 should have in the diet?

Experts recommend every day to enter minimal 500 mg. Omega-3 fats. The best way is fish, especially “fatty”, to be part of our diet.

Caution:

Keep in mind that some types of fish may contain high levels of compounds that are unsuitable for women who plan to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or those who have a small baby / child nursing.

Apart from fish, nuts offers another source for Omega-3

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Prostate Cancer: What You Need to Know About Treatment

What Is Prostate Cancer?

The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland that sits just below a man’s bladder. One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in in their lifetimes. It’s the second most common cancer in the United States, and each year almost 30,000 men die from it, according to the American Cancer Society.

What is the Gleason Score

A pathologist will look at the biopsy samples under a microscope. If cancer tissue is detected, the pathologist then grades the tumor. The Gleason System of grading goes from 2 to 10. The higher the number, the more abnormal the tissues are compared to normal prostate tissue.

Two numbers are added up to get a Gleason score:

A number from 1 to 5 for the most common pattern observed under the microscope. This is the predominant grade and must be more than 51% of the sample.

A number from 1 to 5 for the second most common pattern. This is the secondary grade and must make up more than 5% but less than 50% of the sample.

It is crucial that the tumor is graded properly, as this decides what treatments should be recommended.

Traditional Treatments for Prostate Cancer

Men with prostate cancer have several treatment options. These include:

• Radical Prostatectomy – Removal of the prostate gland

• Radiation Therapy – high-energy radiation that can shrink and kill cancer cells

• Chemotherapy – drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells

• Hormone Therapy – stops the body from producing testosterone, which prostate tumors use to grow

Brachytherapy – radioactive seeds are placed in or near the tumor to shrink and kill it

• Cryosurgery – freezing tissue to kill cancer cells

• Ultrasound Therapy – heating the prostate tissue to kill cancer cells

Advances in Prostate Treatment

In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first-ever cancer treatment immunotherapy vaccine, Provenge. The Provenge vaccine has been found to extend the lives of men with advanced-stage prostate cancer. Researchers are also developing newer forms of treatment for prostate cancer, such as high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy to destroy cancer cells, and targeted therapy drugs to stop the growth of cancerous cells. Doctors are also looking into the use of radio frequency ablation to reduce pain in men with prostate cancer.

Vaccine for Prostate Cancer?

Talk to Your Doctor about Your Prostate Problem

The earlier prostate cancer is found, the better. Early-stage prostate cancers can often be treated, but advanced-stage prostate cancer becomes harder to treat. Plus, the treatments that are usually most effective for advanced prostate cancer tend to have the most negative side effects. These include urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Based on your individual risk for the disease, your lifestyle, and your age, you and your doctor can decide how often you should be screened and at what age those screenings should start.

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7 Foods to Avoid if You have Gout

Gout is an extremely painful inflammation of the joints caused by a buildup of needle-sharp uric-acid crystals. The big toe is the most common target, but gout can attack the feet, ankles, knees, and hands as well.

An attack or “flare” can last for days or months. Men and obese people are at greater risk. If you’re prone to gout, the foods you eat—and don’t eat—play a key role in keeping your joints pain-free.

Here are seven foods to avoid gout attack.

Shell-fish and Mussels

Cut back on seafood and meat during a flare-up, says Lona Sandon, an assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

These animal foods are rich in purines, which your body breaks down into uric acid. You have a little more freedom in your food choices when your gout is at bay, but it’s still a good idea to keep meat and seafood intake to a minimum — 4 to 6 ounces daily at most. Scallops and salmon are okay for an occasional indulgence. On the other hand, shrimp, lobster, eel, and crab are relatively safe if eat occasionally, says Scott Zashin, MD, a rheumatologist and clinical professor of medicine at UT Southwestern.

Anchovies and Small Fish

Whereas some types of seafood can be eaten once in a while, others should be off the menu completely for those who have gout. Avoid herring, tuna, and anchovies, for example.

Beer

Drinking beer is a double-whammy for gout-prone folks, Dr. Zashin says. Not only does it increase your uric-acid level, beer also makes it more difficult for your body to clear this substance from your system.

Wine is a better choice, but heavy drinking is a bad idea for everyone, and people who get gout are no exception, says Sandon, who is a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. During a flare, doctors will usually recommend that you abstain from alcohol entirely.

Red Meat

All meat is not created equal when it comes to purine content. White meat is generally better than red, but it is okay to eat some types of red meat once in a while. And lamb chops are a better choice than leg meat.

You’re a bit better off if your occasional indulgence is beef or pork rather than turkey or lamb, says Dr. Zashin. 

Sugary Drinks

Avoid beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, such as non-diet sodas or “fruit” drinks. Downing these drinks isn’t just an easy way to pack on pounds; the sweeteners will stimulate the body to produce more uric acid.

A study found that men who consumed lots of fructose were at higher risk of developing gout; in 2010 that same research team reported that drinking fructose-sweetened drinks every day, compared with consuming less than one drink a month, upped women’s gout risk too.

High Purine Vegetables

Asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, and mushrooms are higher in purines than other vegetables. But if you like these foods, there’s no reason to avoid them completely, says Sandon. “Certainly you wouldn’t want to go wild with these high-purine vegetables, but they don’t seem to be an issue like the meats are,” she adds.

Veggie-rich diets actually help you clear purines from the body, according to Sandon, while the body seems to have an easier time excreting purines from vegetable sources.

Gizzards

Organ meats, such as liver, kidneys, and sweetbreads, are a major no-no.

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