Amersham Osteopathic Clinic

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Omega 3’s – good for your mental health

New study links low DHA levels to suicide risk among U.S. military personnel

Researchers compared levels of omega-3 fatty acids of 800 individuals who committed suicide with those of 800 randomly selected controls — military service members who were matched with the suicide cases by age, sex, and rank. They found that all the service members had low omega-3 levels, and that suicide risk was greatest among individuals with the lowest levels of the major omega-3 fatty acid concentrated in the brain.

This adds to the large body of research that points to a fundamental role for DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids in protecting against mental health problems and suicide risks. Omega-3 fatty acids are recommended as an adjunctive therapy for mood disorders, now further research is needed to establish a definitive role for their use in the treatment of depression.

Optimal nutrition is important for all of us – as Naturopaths, Matthew and I can advise on good nutrition and a healthy diet, good sources of dietary Omega 3’s and supplements for you and your family.

J Clin Psychiatry. 2011 Aug 23: Suicide deaths of active-duty US military and omega-3 fatty-acid status: a case-control comparison.

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Diet and infantile colic

A study shows that probiotics may be useful in some cases of infant colic. Daily crying times were statistically significantly reduced in the babies supplemented with probiotics versus the placebo group – both of whom were exclusively breastfed.

The symptoms of infantile colic improved and was well tolerated and safe in the probiotics group.

There is also a small amount of evidence to support mums eating a low allergen diet when babies have colic.

This is especially interesting as a recent systematic review systematic review of medical and conventional therapies shows little scientific evidence to support the use of Infacol or Dentinox (Simethicone) or colief (Lactase enzyme). Antispasmodics aren’t recommended for babies as they can have serious adverse effects.

J Paediatr Child Health. 2012 Feb;48(2):128-37. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2011.02061.x. Epub 2011 Apr 7. Infantile colic: a systematic review of medical and conventional therapies. Hall B, Chesters J, Robinson A.

Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in infantile colic: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Pediatrics. 2010; 126(3):e526-33 (ISSN: 1098-4275). Savino F et al.

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Eating veg and breast cancer

We always knew eating our greens was good – but apparently it may be really good for you if you have breast cancer.

Eating specific green vegetables might have a positive impact on survival in breast cancer patients, according to the results of a new study. The Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study  showed that eating cruciferous vegetables after a diagnosis of breast cancer was associated with improved survival. They had a reduced risk for total mortality, breast-cancer-specific mortality and recurrence.

So it’s not just the kids who need to eat all their greens!

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 103rd Annual Meeting: Cruciferous Veggies Boost Survival in Breast Cancer Patients: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/761792

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Diet important during pregnancy

A new systematic review and meta-analysis in the BMJ published online on May 17, 2012 shows that improving maternal diet during pregnancy helps with reduced weight gain during pregnancy and improved obstetric outcomes.

In Europe and the USA, 20% – 40% of women gain more than the recommended weight during pregnancy. Gaining this much extra weight is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.  Improving diet reduced the risk for preeclampsia and babies getting their shoulder stuck during delivery (shoulder dystocia). There was a trend towards less gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure.

What women eat and how much weight women gain during pregnancy was also important for the health of the baby – so eat healthily, eat well and don’t eat for two!

http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e2088:  Effects of interventions in pregnancy on maternal weight and obstetric outcomes: meta-analysis of randomised evidence. BMJ 2012; S.Thangaratinam et al

 

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Try to avoid taking NSAIDs during pregnancy

Taking any dose of any non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) early in pregnancy may more than double the risk of a spontaneous miscarriage are the conclusions of a study published recently in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ)

Non asprin NSAIDs like ibuprofen and diclofenac have been used by pregnant women for headaches, back or neck pain and following injuries. Ibuprofen is sold over the counter. In this study, Naproxen was the most commonly used NSAID, followed by ibuprofen.

A team of Canadian and French researchers analyzed 4705 cases of spontaneous miscarriage up to the 20th week of gestation. 352 (7.5 percent) of women who had a spontaneous early miscarriage had used NSAIDs, but only 1213 (2.6 percent) of a much larger control group (47, 050 women ) who did not miscarry had experienced any exposure to NSAIDs, according to the CMAJ paper.Diclofenac was associated with the highest risk. Dr. Anick Bérard, from the University of Montreal said “We consistently saw that the risk of having a spontaneous abortion was associated with gestational use of diclofenac, naproxen, celecoxib, ibuprofen and rofecoxib alone or in combination, suggesting a class effect.”

“Given that the use of nonaspirin NSAIDs during early pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk of major congenital malformations1 and that our results suggest a class effect on the risk of clinically detected spontaneous abortion, nonaspirin NSAIDs should be used with caution during pregnancy.”

The Royal College of Midwives and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society are now advising against the use of non-aspirin NSAIDs during pregnancy.

Other research has linked the use of non-aspirin NSAIDs to increased risk of stroke or heart attack,

 

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As well as being principal at Amersham Osteopathic Clinic, I am also Consultant in Charge at the Osteopathic Centre for Children's London clinic (part of the Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy) and teach theory and practical techniques on the current Diploma course. I am on the Sutherland Cranial College of Osteopathy Teaching Faculty. I teach … Read more...