Healthy Theory

Working Long Hours Raises Risk for Depression

Camilla Cheung — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:03:19 +0000

If you're already working 11-hour days, this new research may not come as a shock to you — working long hours can double your risk for depression.

Especially in this economy, many workers feel pressured to put in more hours in order to keep their current job and income. Researchers in London found that civil servants who were forced to work 11 hours a day or more had double the risk of a major depressive episode than civil servants who worked 8-hour days. After studying about 2000 middle-aged British civil servants, researchers found a strong link between longer hours and depression, even after controlling for other factors such as socio-demographics, chronic disease, lifestyle, job strain, and other factors. The study was published in the journal PLoS ONE.

Researchers suggested that working longer hours may contribute to a greater risk of depression because of a variety of factors (WebMD). Most obviously, prolonged stress can contribute to an increased likelihood of depression. Working longer hours can reduce the amount of time available for relaxing activities, as well as reduce the time available for sleeping. Longer work hours can also damage relationships with family and friends, which can contribute to increased stress and trigger depressive moods. People who work more may have less time to exercise and to prepare nutritious meals, both important activities for reducing stress and reducing the risk of depression.

Some warning signs that you may be becoming depressed include:

Difficulty sleeping
Feeling stressed
Feeling irritable and restless
Inability to enjoy things that used to give you pleasure, such as time spent with friends
Inability to concentrate or focus
Feelings of hopelessness
Significant weight loss or gain

Researchers warned workers that it is important to have periods of rest and relaxation to keep depression at bay. If cutting work hours is not an option, the researchers suggested making a clear distinction between work time and leisure time, and being sure to take all of your vacation days.

Investing in your self-care, such as getting regular exercise, eating healthfully, and getting enough sleep, are also important factors that can reduce the likelihood of depression. Experts also suggested reducing technological ties to work after work hours, such as turning off your cell phone and avoiding checking your work email, to reduce stress at home after work.

Lower Levels of Lead Can Still Harm Children

Camilla Cheung — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:04:42 +0000

This month, a federal panel is asking the U.S. government to lower the cutoff standards for lead poisoning in children. Citing recent research that shows that even low levels of lead can be damaging to children, specialists urge the government to adapt the new definition, which could result in thousands more children being diagnosed with lead poisoning.

Although cases of lead poisoning have been dramatically reduced in recent years with the banning of lead in paint, toys, gasoline, and other products, specialists say that lead poisoning is still a risk.

The government banned lead in house paint in 1978, but half of the houses built before 1978 may still contain lead paint. This becomes a greater hazard when paint is chipping, flaking, or in bad repair, because young children may pick up paint chips or paint dust and put it in their mouths.

Lead paint is also a hazard when you are doing renovations on an older home, because tearing down walls and other construction work can disturb decades-old lead paint. Even if the lead paint in a home has been painted over, experts say that even the friction from opening and closing windows and doors can create lead dust, which eventually finds its way into children's mouths.

People may also be exposed to lead through lead-glazed pottery, imported jewelry, leaded crystal, and old furniture that has been painted with lead paint.

Although there are few cases of convulsions, coma, and death due to high levels of lead exposure today, lower levels of exposure can still be a problem. Low level lead poisoning can cause learning and behavioral difficulties and may lower a child's IQ.

Experts advise the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce the definition of lead poisoning from 10 micrograms to 5 micrograms.

Children under the age of 6 should be routinely tested for lead poisoning (at least once a year), especially if you live in a house that was built before 1978 and if that house has recently undergone renovations. Your child may not show immediate symptoms of lead poisoning, so a blood test is crucial.

If you are renovating a house built before 1978, use lead-certified contractors. If you plan to do it yourself, follow the EPA's safety guidelines for lead in homes. If you suspect your home has lead paint, you can take paint chips to a local lab to have them tested, and then follow through with lead abatement if needed.

Keep the house clean, wiping up dust from windowsills and floors, which will help prevent children from ingesting lead dust. Wash children's hands frequently, especially before eating. A healthy diet high in calcium, iron, and vitamin C can also help to prevent lead poisoning.

Read more about the EPA's guidelines on lead hazards in the home.

Get Your Vitamin D to Prevent a Score of Problems

Camilla Cheung — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:30:57 +0000

Two recent studies emphasize the need for sufficient vitamin D in our diets. One study shows that lack of the vitamin may play a role in obesity and the development of Type 2 diabetes, whereas another recent study links vitamin D deficiency to depression. For the sake of your physical and mental health, make sure you get enough vitamin D!

Vitamin D Deficiency and Diabetes

Research recently published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (JCEM) shows that obese children are significantly more likely than non-obese children to have low levels of vitamin D. The same study linked vitamin D deficiency with risk factors for Type 2 diabetes. Obese children with low vitamin D levels were found to have high insulin resistance, when the insulin in the body becomes less effective at breaking down glucose.

Obese children who had poor dietary habits such as skipping breakfast and consuming large amounts of juice and soda tended to have lower vitamin D levels. The study highlights a need for future clinical studies of how vitamin D deficiency may contribute to Type 2 diabetes, and whether treatment using vitamin D can lower the risk of the disease.

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Depression

In one of the largest such studies ever undertaken, psychiatrists working with the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study have found that low levels of vitamin D are linked to depression.

After examining over 12,600 patients, researchers found that higher vitamin D levels significantly reduced a person's risk for depression, especially for people who had a prior history of depression. Low vitamin D levels were associated with a higher risk of current depression, especially for patients with a prior history of the disorder. In the U.S., nearly 1 in 10 adults suffer from major depressive disorder.

The study did not address whether increasing vitamin D intake improved symptoms, and more research needs to be done about how vitamin D chemically affects depression. Researchers believe that the vitamin may affect neurotransmitters, inflammatory markers, and other factors.

Other Conditions Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D is essential for building bones, as it helps your body to use the calcium you take in your diet. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a host of other medical conditions, such as low bone density and an increased risk of bone fractures, and has also been linked to other conditions such as cancer, asthma, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, and cognitive impairment in the elderly.

Getting Enough Vitamin D

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because your body produces it in response to sunlight. Getting 10 minutes of sun exposure a day (without sunscreen) is enough to lower your risk of vitamin D deficiency (although you should limit sunscreen-free exposure to the sun to reduce your risk of burning and skin cancer). The vitamin is also naturally present in fish, egg yolks, and dairy products. People who follow a strict vegetarian diet may be at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Your doctor can test you for vitamin D deficiency and recommend an appropriate course of treatment, which may or may not include vitamin D supplementation.

Noisy Toys May Cause Hearing Damage

Camilla Cheung — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:14:03 +0000

Toys that make noise are hot items at the holidays, with talking stuffed animals, trucks that make realistic noises, and other toys among the most sought-after gifts for kids every year. But experts at the University of California, Irvine warn parents and well-meaning gift-givers that noisy toys may be dangerous to children's health.

Researchers from the university tested the noise levels of dozens of popular toys in stores, and ended up purchasing the 10 noisiest toys for more controlled testing in a soundproof both at UC Irvine's Medical Center. The noise-making toys included popular items such as Let's Rock Elmo, Tonka Mighty Motorized Fire Truck, Buzz Lightyear Cosmic Blaster, Road Rippers Lighting Rods, and more.

As it turns out, toys like the Cosmic Blaster might be more aptly named the "Sonic Blaster," as the noises made by the toys exceeded 90 decibels, and many exceeded 100 decibels or more, a noise level equivalent to that of a chain saw, lawn mower, or subway train. Children who play with these toys may risk permanent hearing damage. Noises above 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing damage, and louder noises can cause more damage in a shorter time.

Although at first listen, the noises made by the toys may not seem excessively loud, experts warn parents that children may be holding the toys too close to their ears. When held at a toddler's arm's length (about 12 inches), the toys' noise levels were acceptable, but close to the speaker, the noise levels became higher and more dangerous. Children frequently hold toys close to their heads, which may cause the toys to be too loud.

Researchers emphasize that a child's hearing is more sensitive than an adult's, and that being exposed to excessive noise may cause permanent and irreversible hearing damage. Children are especially sensitive to loud or high-pitched sounds. The experts recommended that adults who intend to buy noise-making toys for children pay attention to the location of the speaker on the toy — speakers that are located underneath the toy rather than on top tend to be better. Also, try holding the toy close to you and listening, as a child would, to test if the toy is too noisy.

The list of the loudest toys tested by UC Irvine researchers included:

Road Rippers Lightning Rods
I Am T-Pain Microphone
Tonka Mighty Motorized Fire Truck
Marvel Super Shield Captain America
Whac-A-Mole Game
Tapz Electronic Reflex Game
Sesame Street Let's Rock Elmo
VTech Magical Learning Wand
Toy Story Buzz Lightyear Cosmic Blaster
Green Lantern Colossal Cannon

Teens Smoking Fewer Cigarettes, But More Marijuana

Camilla Cheung — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 01:27:57 +0000

Results released by this year's Monitor the Future survey by NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) have found that teens in grades 8, 10, and 12 are smoking fewer cigarettes than ever before. Cigarette use among teens is at a historic low, a very positive development. However, experts are quick to temper the enthusiasm for the new statistics with warnings that although teens are smoking fewer cigarettes, they continue to abuse tobacco in other forms, and are increasingly turning to marijuana as their drug of choice.

The percentage of teenagers smoking has declined to a historic low — for example, only 6.1% of eighth-graders smoke in 2011, compared to 21% in 1996 and 8.7 percent in 2006. Experts are encouraged by the decline, saying that fewer surveyed teens will die of smoking-related diseases in adulthood, and fewer will go on to abuse other drugs. However, when compared to dramatic declines in teenage smoking in the late 1990s, the rate of decline in smoking has slowed. And while teens may not be smoking as many cigarettes, they are continuing to abuse tobacco products in other forms: hookahs, cigars, and smokeless tobacco.

In addition, marijuana use seems to be on the rise. In the 2011 survey results, 36.4% reported marijuana use, an increase from 31.5% five years ago. The percentage of high school seniors using marijuana every day has increased to 6%, up from 5% five years ago (that's about 1 in 15 high school seniors smoking pot every day — the highest rate in 15 years). The perception that taking marijuana is not as risky a behavior as it actually is may be fueling the rise.

Even more troubling is the increase in use of synthetic marijuana, known as K2 or Spice. This "fake weed," or "herbal smoking blend," is a synthetic cannabinoid that mimics the effect of marijuana and was created to avoid drug regulations. However, K2 and Spice are dangerous drugs and may cause hallucinations, psychosis, racing heartbeat, high blood pressure, and other dangerous conditions, even more than natural marijuana. Because the synthetic cannabis products are so new, tightened regulation of the products just took effect this year, and it remains to be seen whether the ban on synthetic marijuana will result in lessened use among teens.

Experts encourage parents to speak to their children about the risks of marijuana and of synthetic forms of marijuana, saying that it is important that teenagers know how dangerous abusing marijuana can be.

Soccer Players Should Avoid Heading the Ball

Camilla Cheung — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:06:46 +0000

If you're a soccer player or the parent of a soccer player, you may want to take note of the latest news in sports medicine: soccer players who repeatedly "head" the ball may be damaging their brains, a recent study shows.

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York studied the brains of 38 amateur soccer players who had all been playing soccer since childhood. Using an advanced imaging technique called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), an MRI-based technology, scientists examined what happens to human brains when subjected to frequent hits to the head with a soccer ball. "Heading" is a common soccer technique used by players to hit the ball without touching it with their hands.

The study found that soccer players who headed the ball the most frequently suffered brain injury similar to the injuries found in concussion victims, known as mild traumatic brain injury. According to the imaging tests, the areas of the brain that sustained the most trauma were areas responsible for attention, memory, and visual functions. In fact, soccer players who headed the most frequently performed worse on verbal memory and mind-body coordination tests.

The soccer players who exhibited the worst brain damage headed the ball an average of 1,000 to 1,500 times a year or higher. For serious amateur players, this number is not unrealistic, amounting to just a few headers a day. Although the trauma from any individual hit was not enough for brain injury, scientists now believe that the cumulative effect of many hits to the head over time leads to brain damage. The area of the brain that received the most damage was the frontal lobe, just behind the forehead.

Researchers hope that the new data will help soccer programs to refine approaches to training that will minimize the need for heading the ball. While it appears that heading the ball less than 1,000 times a year does not lead to significant injury, experts caution that more research is needed, especially when considering how heading may affect the immature brains of young children. Brain injuries in children may not be immediately apparent, and may instead be attributed to ADHD, learning disabilities, or other problems. Many experts now believe that heading is not appropriate for soccer players under the age of 12.

Until more is known about how often is too often, soccer programs are encouraged to lessen the frequency of heading drills. Parents should also pay extra attention to their child's complaints of dizziness or headaches during the soccer season.

Radiation From Laptops May Damage Sperm

Camilla Cheung — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:34:13 +0000

If you use a laptop regularly, you may have wondered whether that computer sitting on your lap could damage your fertility. A new study shows that if that laptop is connected to the Internet, the radiation emitted by the wi-fi (wireless Internet) connection may damage men's sperm.

The study, recently published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, is one of the first to test the relationship between wi-fi radiation and sperm quality. The study suggests that the electromagnetic radiation emitted by wi-fi signals may damage sperm motility and the quality of sperm DNA. Unlike previous studies, this damage was caused independent of temperature.

Researchers in Argentina obtained sperm samples from 29 healthy men, and used only sperm that were motile at the beginning of the study. They divided each participant's sperm samples into two parts — one for experimentation, and one as a control. Researchers exposed the sperm to radiation from a laptop connected to wireless Internet. They found that after four hours of exposure, sperm had decreased motility (one-quarter of the sperm were no longer swimming). In addition, researchers found that after four hours of exposure, 9% of the sperm had DNA damage.

The control sperm samples were kept at the same temperature as the experimentation samples, but did not exhibit the same amount of damage. Of the control samples that were exposed to the same amount of heat, but not wi-fi radiation, 14% lost motility, and only 3% exhibited DNA damage.

The results of the study point to a relationship between radiation emitted by wireless signals, and decreased fertility. If you're trying to become a dad, you may want to avoid placing a laptop on your lap for extended periods of time, as the combined effects of the heat and wi-fi radiation may take a toll on your chances of conceiving.

However, experts have pointed out that results found in the artificial setting of a laboratory may not translate to effects in real life. No studies have been done to show that using a laptop has a negative effect on actual pregnancy outcomes, and more research is needed to find out how wireless signals may affect human fertility.

In the meantime, you can take simple steps to avoid this problem. Place your laptop on a desk or table when working, and if you're not using the Internet, switch off the wi-fi. It may or may not protect your fertility, but at least it'll give you some peace of mind.

Having a Pet is Good for Your Mental and Physical Health

Denise Reynolds — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:39:18 +0000

We have a new member to our household — a 5-month-old Golden Retriever named Jasmine. For as long as I can remember, I've had a pet of some sort in my life. Our previous Golden, Lambeau, recently passed after spending 12 years with us. How great that science finds that our furry friends not only keep us company, but that they also provide a boost to both our mental and physical health as well!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recognize the significant health benefits among people who own pets. They note that most households in the United States have at least one pet. The benefits extend across all ages, from children to senior citizens.

You may recall a study a couple of years ago that found that dog owners tend to get more exercise than those who do not have a walkable pet. People with dogs tend to walk their pets an average of 24 minutes twice a day, and they often take longer walks about three times per week. All of this adds up to more physical activity, which can help foster weight loss, reduce blood pressure and blood sugar, and can boost heart health.

Of course, exercise alone also helps mental health by reducing stress and anxiety. However, a new study goes beyond those more commonly noted pet-owning benefits.

Researchers at Miami University and St. Louis University conducted three experiments among pet owners and found that our animal companions also serve as social and emotional support and make us happier and healthier. Specifically, says Allen R. McConnell PhD,

"Pet owners had greater self-esteem…tended to be less lonely, were more conscientious, were more extroverted, tended to be less fearful and tended to be less preoccupied than non-owners."

Other previously noted health benefits are that pet owners report fewer headaches, less trouble sleeping, and there is often a reduction in the number of doctor visits, especially among elderly patients.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) calls the mutually beneficial relationship between people and their pets the "Human-Animal Bond." The AVMA recognizes that this bond has existed for thousands of years and that it is very important to both client and community health.

So do you want a pet, but really aren't ready to tackle all of the responsibility and challenges that come with puppyhood? Why not adopt an older dog? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals celebrates November as "Adopt a Senior Pet Month." Older pets are often easy to train, are super-loving, and settle in more quickly than younger animals. There are also a lot more senior pets in need of homes, so you would have the satisfaction of knowing you probably saved a life.

High-Fiber Diet Reduces Diabetes in Teens

Camilla Cheung — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:19:30 +0000

Teenagers in North America have a diet that is notoriously high in saturated fat and low in fiber. A new study shows that increasing teenagers' intake of dietary fiber can greatly reduce their risks of developing heart disease and Type-2 diabetes.

It is common knowledge that a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol increases a person's risk factors for metabolic disease, including heart disease and Type-2 diabetes. But research published last week in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association suggests that it may be more valuable to emphasize the positive effects of increased fiber intake than to emphasize the negative effects of saturated fat. The study showed that as fiber intake increased, the risk for metabolic problems decreased.

Researchers studied the diets of over 2,000 teenagers aged 12 to 19. They found that teenagers who consumed the least dietary fiber had three times the rate of metabolic syndrome than the teens who consumed the most fiber. Yet the rates of metabolic syndrome had little relationship to fat and cholesterol intake.

The researchers point out that with today's convenient processed foods, it is possible for teenagers to choose low-fat, low-cholesterol foods that nevertheless lack the dietary fiber and nutrients found in natural plant-based foods. In the study, a high consumption of fiber-rich foods was associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, a correlation that was not shown between low-cholesterol foods and metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is defined as three of the following: abnormal waist circumference, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, or glucose.

Research shows that on the national average, teenagers may consume up to 30 percent of their daily calories in the form of beverages and sugary snacks. Most teenagers consume only 13 grams of fiber a day, far less than the recommended levels of 26 grams of fiber for girls and 38 grams for boys.

The best way to increase your intake of dietary fiber is to eat more fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. The researchers suggest eating, for example, three servings of fruits and vegetables, one serving of beans, and 3 servings of whole grains a day, which would bring a person's fiber total to about 30 grams.

Researchers believe that focusing on including fiber-rich foods will have a greater effect on the rates of metabolic syndrome than focusing on restricting fat- and cholesterol-laden foods.

Cancer-Causing Chemicals in Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Shampoo

Camilla Cheung — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:21:25 +0000

That tall yellow bottle of Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo (No More Tears!) is a familiar sight to most of us — it has been around so long that you probably remember using it yourself. But yesterday, an article in the Huffington Post called attention to an alarming fact: Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo contains trace amounts of carcinogens that may cause harm to babies.

Several environmental and health organizations have campaigned to convince the company to remove the low levels of harmful chemicals from the baby shampoo, but currently, the chemicals have not yet been removed from Johnson & Johnson's U.S. and Canadian products. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics sent the company a letter signed by the Breast Cancer Fund, the Environmental Working Group, the American Nurses Association, and other groups, urging it to remove the chemicals. Until the company does so, the campaign is urging consumers to boycott the company's products.

The chemicals in question are low levels of quaternium-15 and 1,4-dioxane, two chemicals that have the potential to cause cancer. Quaternium-15 is a preservative that kills bacteria by releasing formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and 1,4-dioxane is a possible carcinogen. Although the chemicals are not banned in the U.S., the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics says that they shouldn't be used in baby products. Formaldehyde has been linked to cancers such as leukemia, and because infants' skin is more sensitive and permeable than adults', young children may be especially susceptible to such chemicals.

Johnson & Johnson has said that the company will gradually phase out quaternium-15 and reduce the levels of dioxane. However, in several other countries such as the U.K., Japan, South Africa, Denmark, and Sweden, Johnson & Johnson baby products are already made without the use of the chemicals. Given that the company can already make the products without chemicals, why not make them available in the US? Why take the chance of harm being done to our children?

Product diversification may be the answer to that question. In the American market, Johnson & Johnson has released a brand of baby shampoo, Johnson's Naturals, that does not contain dioxane, but at a higher price point than the original baby shampoo. Dioxane is also present in some of Johnson & Johnson's other products, including Oatmeal Baby Wash, Moisture Care Baby Wash, and Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash.

Young children are already exposed to chemicals on a daily basis (air and water pollution, volatile compounds in paints, and second-hand cigarette smoke immediately come to mind). Why take the risk of them being exposed to additional chemicals in a supposedly safe baby product applied directly to their skin — baby shampoo?