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Posts Tagged ‘Depression’

false hypothesis of the “curve of happiness”
Not only affects the musculoskeletal system, the majority of the organs of the body and cardiovascular function. “Obesity also has a strong impact on the emotional level and even, in some cases, psychological problems are the trigger for this disease,” explains Eduardo García-Camba de la Muela, chief of psychiatry at the Hospital Princesa de Madrid.

During this “Science Week”, an event that aims to bring the citizens of science and technology, various museums, universities and research centers hold conferences, workshops and roundtables, among other activities. Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) has held a roundtable on “Obesity: a complex conversation between the brain, and heart fat” in which, experts say, “In recent years we are witnessing an epidemic significant obesity and future prospects in this regard are pessimistic.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1,600 million adults are overweight and 400 million obese, a figure expected to increase to 700 million in 2015. In Spain, as indicated by statistics from the Ministry of Health, more than half the population is above the recommended weight (38.5% overweight and 14.5% obese). “It is more common in women and increases with age,” experts say.

The psychological reality of obesity
“This is a difficult disease to treat and requires a multidisciplinary approach that not only takes into account diet and exercise program is also essential psychotherapeutic support,” said García-Camba. Sometimes the mental aspect is a cause of the disease (other genetic factors, environmental and lifestyle). “They use food as a substance that allows them to solve their problems (sadness, upset …) and here begins a process of uncontrolled eating that can lead to obesity,” says the psychiatrist.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, confirms that a high intake of vitamins B6 and B12 is associated with reduced risk of depression among the elderly. Previous studies have already linked deficiency of B vitamins to depression.

Banana - Vitamin B6

Kimberly A. Skarupski Rush University (Chicago) and colleagues analyzed data on 3,503 people aged 65 and older. They analyzed the consumption of vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid (vitamin B9) from food frequency questionnaires. Depression was measured with a test at follow-up of 1997 and 2009, 461 participants developed depressive symptoms during these years.

Contributions higher total vitamin B6 and B12, containing supplements were associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptoms (taking into account in the analysis of various factors that may affect them).

Each 10 mg of vitamin B6 and 10 mcg of vitamin B12 were associated with a decrease of 2% annual risk. No benefit was found with intake of vitamins B6 and B12 from diet alone, nor for folate from food and supplements (B9).

Vitamin B12 food sources after this bioavailability and absorption rather low, especially among the elderly, say the authors. It is also possible that folic acid (B9) is associated with risk of depression, but only in case of insufficient levels located below the consumption level of the participants (whose diet was fortified with folic acid).

Vitamin B12 deficiency is responsible for a neurological syndrome that includes symptoms of depression, and pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, the primary biological form of vitamin B6 is a cofactor in the synthesis of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role important in mood, say the authors.

Obesity in today’s youth can’t solely be attributed to overeating and lack of exercise. It’s important we understand that excessive weight gain can be influenced by heredity and familial behavior. Even Psych 101 tells us overeating can be a behavioral problem. In a reputable piece published by Medical News Today, doctors from the University of Adelaide linked obesity directly with depression.

Specifically, Dr. Evan Atlantis goes on to state “Although the topic is largely unexplored, several psychosocial, lifestyle and physiological factors may be involved in the complex inter-relationship between obesity and mental illness…” Subsequent feelings of low self esteem, low self worth, and guilt often contribute greatly to a person’s every day eating habits. Dr. Atlantis goes on with stating “Obesity may constitute a chronic stressful state, which in turn can cause significant physiological dysfunction. Such dysfunction would then predispose individuals to depressed mood and associated symptoms.” Ultimately, this dysfunction would activate the endocannabinoid system, which in turn, increases appetite and may all together alleviate depression.

Some of the most comment causes of obesity in the world today are:

•Diet
•Lifestyle
•Metabolism
•Genetics/Heredity
•Emotions
•Lack of Sleep
•Medications
•Diseases

This domino affect allows many people to dig themselves holes; leading to weight gain and depression. It’s not an easy task to eliminate excessive fat due to depressive symptoms. Concurrently, the person finds him/herself having to overcome depression AND lose weight. As challenging as a task this may sound, people still have options.

Alternatives can include weight-loss procedures from surgeons like Dr. Lack of MetropolitanMD, a Chicago liposuction and cosmetic surgery specialist; albeit the risks outweigh the benefits. Despite, science has come up with a new cosmetic practice to reduce weight in a very
efficient manner.

LipoDissolve (also known as “Lunchtime Lipo”) is a new/experimental weight loss and “fat-melting” cosmetic procedure that many see as an option to liposuction surgery. LD is a series of tiny injections that are full of chemicals that dissolve fat in many areas of the body like the hips, stomach, face, waist, and arms. These chemicals swiftly break down the fat in these areas, and individuals who partake in the treatment have shown to lose at-least 2-6 centimeters of the fatty area with each injection – Most of what is found in the high concentrated fat areas of the waist and stomach.

Unfortunately, LipoDissolve is not a permanent solution considering that while it does help break down fat in the body, it doesn’t prevent future weight gain from occurring.

Some are cautious when suggesting LipoDissolve as a weight loss solution; feelings stem directly from the drugs unrelenting tests. However, for the most part it works as an effective and swift solution to the obesity problem that many have to deal with everyday.

Rachelle of MetropolitanMD, plastic surgeons Chicago.