Low vitamin D levels linked to depression in children

Are your kids getting enough vitamin D? If not, they could be at a higher risk for depression. A new study from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom shows that children and teens with higher levels of vitamin D are less likely to experience depression than…

Omega-3 fats from fish oil and supplements prevent and slow arthritis progression

(NaturalNews) Humans have been consuming omega-3 fats from natural fish, nut and seed sources for countless generations. Our core genetic structure depends on a regular supply of the long chain omega-3 fats EPA and DHA to form cell wall structures and perform millions of metabolic functions that we normally associate with vibrant health. Imbalance of omega-3 to omega-6 fats cause a surge in inflammatory cytokines that can lead to the painful and debilitating condition known as osteoarthritis. New research published in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage has shown for the first time that omega-3 fats supplied by fish oil could “substantially and significantly” reduce the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis as we age. Researchers from the University of Bristol in England tested the effect of omega-3 fats on a breed of guinea pigs that are genetically predisposed to develop arthritis. Guinea pigs were chosen for this study as they develop osteoarthritis in a similar manner to humans. Anecdotal reports over the years provide support for the beneficial effect of fish consumption on joint health. Dr. John Tarlton from the Matrix Biology Research Group and his team set out to confirm the impact of omega-3 fatty acids, either sourced from fish oil or flax oil, in preventing or slowing down the progression of osteoarthritis. Omega-3 Fat Supplementation Slashes Osteoarthritis Disease Progression by Half The team fed one group of guinea pigs a diet including full-spectrum omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA) and compared the results to a second control group of non-supplemented animals. Typical degradation of collagen in cartilage and the loss of molecules that give it shock-absorbing properties were both reduced in the omega-3 supplemented group. Researchers noted that omega-3 fats reduced disease by 50 per cent compared to the control group. Upon examination of the results, Dr. Tarlton explained: “there was strong evidence that omega-3 influences the biochemistry of the disease, and therefore not only helps prevent disease, but also slows its progression, potentially controlling established osteoarthritis.” This is a critical finding, as most people suffering from arthritis are prescribed a plethora of ineffective pain medications that dramatically increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease or of suffering a heart attack. Omega fat imbalance from a poor diet causes excessive joint inflammation and needless suffering. Researchers performing this study concluded “Most diets in the developed world are lacking in omega-3, with modern diets having up to 30 times too much omega-6 and too little omega-3. Taking omega-3 will help redress this imbalance and may positively contribute to a range of other health problems such as heart disease.” Many health-minded individuals will want to supplement with a molecularly distilled form of fish oil (minimum 1200 mg EPA/DHA content) each day to combat inflammation and osteoarthritis. Sources for this article include: http://www.oarsijournal.com/article/S1063-4584%2811%2900164-6/abstract http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111017111600.htm http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-10/uob-ofa101711.php

UK authorities mimic CDC by revealing self-defense strategy for when ‘zombies’ invade

(NaturalNews) Remember when the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a bizarre and cryptic warning back in May warning Americans to prepare for a “zombie apocalypse” (http://www.naturalnews.com/032454_zombie_apocalypse_CDC.html). Well now authorities in the UK have apparently done the same thing, with supposedly “top secret” reports revealing contingency plans should there be an “outbreak” of zombies. According to a recent report in the UK’s Guardian , a man by the name of “P Store” contacted officials in Bristol and asked what plans the city had in place in the event of an invasion by the undead. Peter Holt, the city’s service director of communication and marketing, apparently responded to him by sharing a secret document that outlines preparation tactics for various levels of zombie invasion. “Please note that this document contains various reactions as it has been considered that some information contained therein must be redacted for the purpose of safeguarding national security,” states the letter’s headline. It then goes on to detail instructions for dealing with four stages of zombie invasion: ambient zombie level, enhanced activity level, major outbreak, and zombie pandemic level. The rest of the report notes areas around town that are more prone to zombie invasion than others, and instructs the staff to whom the document was originally written to listen for certain codewords on radio and television that are indicative of a zombie invasion. Even more bizarre are the instructions for dealing with a zombie should an individual run into one. “Fully connect the brain-stem from the body through either blunt force of full head removal,” states the instructions. It also highlights the availability of handcuffs, tasers, protection suits, and other necessary equipment through the staff intranet. The document was released in accordance with a Freedom of Information request, and is oddly similar to the strange announcement made by the CDC back in May. Sources for this story include: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jul/07/when-zombies-attack-bristol-city-council-undead-invasion?INTCMP=SRCH

Weight Loss Drugs Produce Only Minimal Weight Loss, Even After Taking Them for Years

(NaturalNews) Weight loss drugs may result only in minor weight loss, even after long-term use, according to a new study conducted by Brazilian and Canadian researchers and published in the British Medical Journal. Researchers conducted meta-analyses of a number of studies conducted on the weight-loss drugs orlistat (marketed as Xenical and Alli), rimonabant (marketed as Acomplia) and sibutramine (marketed as Meridia), and found that users lost an average of less than 11 pounds, even after one to four years of use. Several key indicators of cardiovascular health were improved by taking the drugs, however. Researchers examined 16 studies on orlistat, which operates by preventing the body from digesting fats. The average long-term user of orlistat lost only 7 pounds and had reduced diabetes risk, blood pressure and cholesterol. As many as 30 percent of users experienced digestive side effects. Ten tests on sibutramine were also examined, along with four on rimonabant. Both drugs work by interrupting neural signals in the brain. Sibutramine was found to reduce patients’ weight by an average of only 9 pounds. In up to 20 percent of patients, however, it induced side effects including insomnia, nausea, and elevated blood pressure and pulse. Rimonabant users lost an average of 11 pounds. Six percent of users experienced an elevated rate of mood disorders, however. After receiving reports of psychiatric side effects such as anxiety and depression, the FDA refused to approve rimonabant for U.S. sale last year. Orlistat, in contrast, is approved for over-the-counter sale in a weakened form (Alli). The move to sell weight loss drugs over the counter has drawn substantial criticism, including in an editorial accompanying the recent study. “Selling anti-obesity drugs over the counter will perpetuate the myth that obesity can be fixed simply by popping a pill,” Dr. Gareth Williams of the University of Bristol wrote.

Stunning Research Shows High Potential for DNA Damage from Nanoparticles

(NaturalNews) Nanoparticles may be able to damage the DNA of cells without ever coming into contact with it, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Bristol Implant Research Center and published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology . Nanoparticles are particles so small that they have fundamentally different physical and chemical properties than the same substances do at more familiar scales. Industry is increasingly adopting nanotechnology for a variety of applications, from consumer products to medicine, but the technology remains unregulated. Researchers created particles of chromium and cobalt that were either four millionths (micro scale) or 30 billionths (nano scale) of a meter across, then placed them on a thin, artificial membrane composed of human cells. On the other side of the membrane, researchers placed human fibroblast cells, which are important components of connective tissue. They found that although no particles crossed the cellular membrane, fibroblast cells placed across from the metal particles suffered DNA damage in 10 times as many locations and cells placed next to a membrane with nothing on the other side. Researchers are unsure how the particles damaged the cells without crossing the membrane, but they believe they may cause changes in the membrane cells, which in turn signal the fibroblast cells and cause DNA damage. “We used a variety of chemicals to block … cell-to-cell signaling and found that in the presence of these blockers, the damage we were seeing was completely prevented,” lead author Gevdeep Bhabra said. The experiment was conducted with cobalt and chromium because both of those metals are currently used in medical implants. The researchers noted, however, that it would be unlikely for wear and tear to produce enough nano- or micro-sized particles to reach the concentrations used in the study. The implications of the study center more around the risks of actual nanotechnology. Nanoparticles are already used in the manufacture of sunscreens, cosmetics, sporting goods and other consumer products. Researchers are also investigating their use as drug-delivery mechanisms. Sources for this story include: news.bbc.co.uk.