The Bucket List: Seeing things for the last time

Eight-year-old Alexa is going blind and has created a list of things she wants to see before that happens. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Exercise does not have to be prolonged to be beneficial. It just has to be frequent. Several times per day

From NYTimes:

"Walk for two minutes. Repeat 15 times. Or walk for 10 minutes, thrice. The benefits for longevity appear to be almost exactly the same, according to an inspiring new study of physical activity patterns and life spans.

It finds that exercise does not have to be prolonged in order to be beneficial. It just has to be frequent."

The scientists found that moving strongly influenced longevity. The more often you move, the longer you live.

References:

Those 2-Minute Walk Breaks? They Add Up. NYTimes.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/28/well/move/walking-exercise-minutes-death-longevity.html

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Viola player Chris Goldscheider wins landmark case

A musician who suffered a life-changing hearing injury won a High Court judgement against the Royal Opera House. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Me and my endometriosis: 12 women share their stories

Endometriosis affects about 1 in 10 women. These incredible ladies are speaking out after spending years in agonising pain, fighting to get a diagnosis. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Aziza Oubaita on the fight of her life

This 46-year-old French flyweight boxer has successfully recovered from a heart transplant. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Man has 'world's worst' super-gonorrhoea

It is the first ever case that is resistant to the main antibiotic treatment. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Teenagers urged to take part in meningitis B vaccine trial

Researchers hope the study of 24,000 will cut infections in the young and the wider community. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

The dangers that lurk in your bathroom

A study claims bacteria is present in rubber ducks. But what other unexpected risks are in your bathroom? via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Male suicide: 'His death was the missing piece of the jigsaw'

Friends and family members left behind after a suicide tell the stories of the men they have lost. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

JAMA: Mentoring in the Era of #MeToo

Julie Story Byerley, MD, MPH wrote in JAMA on what specific behaviors her male mentors have demonstrated that have always made her feel safe:

1. They demonstrate exemplary professional behavior during and outside of the work day, never compromised by alcohol consumption or flirtatious interactions.

2. They always behave comfortably but as if others are watching, demonstrating integrity.

3. Though they have warm personalities, they refrain from physical touch except in larger social settings where they may give hugs in greeting.

4. They never mention anything about my appearance or the appearance of others, and they avoid generalizing comments about gender.

5. They text me important or urgent things, and sometimes just very funny things, but never anything I wouldn’t share with my husband or their wives.

6. Most importantly, my male mentors have chosen to speak up to support women while other men have chosen to sit quietly or, worse, offend.

References:

Mentoring in the Era of #MeToo. JAMA. 2018;319(12):1199-1200. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.2128
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2676115

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Richard Bacon: 'My ADHD is who I am'

Former BBC Radio 5 live presenter Richard Bacon has been diagnosed with ADHD at 42. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Pupil overcomes needle fear to take part in meningitis vaccine trial

A student says she took part in a meningitis vaccine trial as she wanted to help people in the future. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Dynamo Crohn's selfie prompts others to share

Images posted to social media by the magician have prompted others to share their stories of Crohn's disease. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Buying Viagra: What you should know

Men can now buy impotence pills without a prescription at some UK pharmacies. What are the risks? via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Hospitals 'failing' on genetic bowel cancer test

A charity says that more than 80% are failing to test for the genetic condition Lynch syndrome. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Pubs in danger: Six charts on how the British drink

Across Great Britain, adults are drinking less often. So how are tastes changing and why are they cutting back? via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

The teen 'downloading music into his head'

Michael Fuller is autistic and could play Mozart by ear aged 11. Now he's a classical composer. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Southern Health fined £2m over deaths of two patients

Southern Health admitted failings over the deaths of Teresa Colvin and Connor Sparrowhawk. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Tuberculosis rates in England fall by third in six years

But England still has one of the highest rates of the disease in Western Europe. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

We learn nothing about nutrition, claim medical students

A leading GP estimated that up to 80% of his patients had conditions linked to lifestyle and diet. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

NHS: Over 3,000 more midwifery training places offered

Midwife representatives welcome the move but say more training places "is only half of the problem". via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

The man who has to crawl through his front door

Since Richard’s leg was amputated, his two-storey house has become very difficult to get around. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Meningitis survivor beats odds to ski

Charlotte Nott, aged 10, lost all four limbs to meningitis when she was just two years old. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

A day in the life of India's 'tuberculosis warrior'

On world tuberculosis day, Dr Zarir Udwadia talks about his fight against the deadly disease. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Woman dies after having bee-sting therapy

Gwyneth Paltrow is among the people who have backed the bee-venom therapy. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Rise in cancers 'caused by weight': UK study

Excess weight now causes 6.3% of all cancer cases - up from 5.5% in 2011, a study suggests. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

'Wobbly head' woman fundraising for lifesaving surgery

Nadine Turnbull struggles with a rare condition where her head is not properly secured to her body. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

MS drug hope for secondary-progressive stage

A large study suggests siponimod may effectively treat the advanced stage of the disease. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Lifestyle changes which could help avoid cancer

Cancer Research UK says around 38% of all cancers diagnoses could have been prevented. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Promote health, keep the world safe, serve the vulnerable

A warm welcome to all meeting participants!

I sincerely regret not being able to join you this week to take part in your discussions. However, I know that several members of my senior leadership team will be joining some sessions. I have asked them to brief me on your deliberations and meeting outcomes. via WHO news Read More Here..

Origin of 'six-inch mummy' confirmed

Scientists investigate an unusual, small, mummified skeleton from Chile to establish is medical history. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

James Dunmore lost his two sisters to cystic fibrosis

Made In Chelsea star James Dunmore has told BBC 5 live that he lost two sisters to cystic fibrosis. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

A blueberry muffin 'could have day's worth of sugar'

Health experts say the researchers' findings show how easy it is to consume "huge" amounts of sugar. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Tai chi recommended to fight fibromyalgia

A study suggests the martial art has benefits similar to or greater than aerobic exercise. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Chronic fatigue trial results 'not robust', new study says

A new analysis of the controversial PACE trial suggests the effects of exercise therapy have been exaggerated. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Muffin sugar measured out in teaspoons

BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire measures out the sugar that can be found in a typical muffin. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Dying Young and the Psychology of Leaving a Legacy

Often the biggest existential distress that we carry is the idea that no-one will remember us when we are gone—initially we know that our friends and family will hold who we are, but after a generation, these people are likely gone too. At the end of life, the pressure to leave an unquestionably relevant legacy can be crippling for people, particularly for young people. When coupled with the limited energy that people have when they are unwell, the very nature of what people expect to achieve in the world shrinks, and the really important pieces come into focus.

When time is seen to be limited, every moment can take on a weight that has never before been experienced. Some of these expectations come from within and some externally, but regardless of their origin they can be paralyzing for the young person facing their mortality, particularly when unwell. Culturally, there are multiple references as to what ‘dying young’ is meant to mean and most refer to extraordinary and often unobtainable expectations. For instance, members of the ‘27 club’ (celebrities who die on or before their 27th birthday) and notable cancer-related concepts around ‘bucket lists’ and works of fiction (e.g., The Fault in Our Stars). Most young people, particularly those who are dying, do not have the capacity or the options to engage in an extraordinary feat, they can become overwhelmed and paralyzed by what they are ‘meant to be doing’.

I think I have well and truly missed my opportunity for greatness, I now just want enough energy to spend time with my friends. Maybe even go to the pub.

~18-year-old male

Often, as is the case with many things in life, simple and small are the gestures and moments which are the most meaningful, with huge projects and adventures feeling too overwhelming and out of the grasp of someone with limited energy and resources. As such, the fantasy of what something may have looked and felt like, had they have been well, is a much more satisfying space for them to sit with. Similarly, relationships become much more meaningful, as do the simple things that are taken away through the treatment process, like being able to sit in the sun or go to the pub with a friend.

‘I had been playing online games with him for years, and I thought that I would never meet him now. He made it happen though.’

~19-year-old male

Young patients can be bombarded with well-intentioned suggestions about what they ‘need’ to do, including making future legacy-based activities, such as leaving cards for each of their younger sibling’s birthdays, video journals of their death, or chronicling how they feel about all the people in their world. Although these are good ideas, they are emotionally and physically difficult to manage with limited resources. Patients need to be feeling very resilient and well before attempting any of these things with most being abandoned due to the confronting nature of conceptualizing the world without them present in it. It is a difficult ask for anyone to be able to take the relatively abstract idea of the world continuing following your own death; this does not change for young people and, in some ways, it is even more challenging due to their pervasive sense of self, even in the face of very real threats to their mortality.

‘I could clean out my room, and all of my stuff. But then I think, well I don’t want to do it really, and it’s not like it’s going to be my problem.’

~23-year-old male

The way that young people respond to being presented with a very limited life expectancy can vary tremendously. Some may stick their head firmly in the sand and refuse to discuss or conceptualize anything about what may happen in the lead-up to their death, or following. Others will organize everything about the end of their lives, including where they want to die, how alert they want to be, as well as what will happen following their death—such as where their belongings go and how they want to be remembered. For most people in this situation, in an existential sense, almost everything is out of control, the disease will do what it does, the pain is what it is, and they are an observer to the things happening in their bodies. The things that people can control is what they talk about, how much they talk about it, and who they talk about it too.

Just because death, dying, and legacy are not being talked about, does not mean that it is not in the consciousness and thoughts of the person pondering their own end. Instead, it may be that they have done as much thinking and talking about it as they need to do; it is often these patients that have very well-considered plans about what they want to happen as they deteriorate and the decisions that must be made about their care.

References

Chochinov, H., Kristjanson, L., Breitbart. W., et al. (2011). Effect of Dignity Therapy on Distress and End-of-Life Experience in Terminally Ill Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial. The lancet oncology. 12. 753-62. DOI:10.1016/S1470-2045(11)70153-X

Hack, T., Mcclement, S., & Chochinov, H., et al. (2010). Learning from dying patients during their final days: Life reflections gleaned from dignity therapy. Palliative medicine. 24. 715-23. DOI:10.1177/0269216310373164

Hedkte, L., (2014). Creating stories of hope: A narrative approach to illness, death and grief. Australian New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy. 35. 4-19. DOI:10.1002/anzf.1040

Kehl, K., (2006). Moving Toward Peace: An Analysis of the Concept of a Good Death.. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. 23. 277-286. DOI:10.1177/1049909106290380

Smith, R. (2000). A good death: an important aim for health services and for us all. BMJ. 2000;320:129-130.

Steinhauser, K. E., Clipp, E. C., McNeilly, M., et al. (2000). In search of a good death: observations of patients, families, and providers. Ann Intern Med. 2000;132:825-832

Steinhauser, K. E., Alexander, S. C., Bycock, I., et al. (2008). Do preparation and life completion discussions improve functioning and quality of life in seriously ill patients? Pilot randomized control trial. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 11. 1234 – 1240. DOI:10.1089/jpm.2008.0078

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Carpe Diem—Living with Fear

“Live life to the fullest.”
“Celebrate life.”
“Carpe diem.”

I’ve heard them all. But what if I don’t feel like it? What if I’m having a lousy brain day, restricted to a darkened room with a blinding headache, and seizing the day is not an option?

I have clusters of malformed blood vessels called cavernous angiomas in my brain. Two of them bled, turning my life upside down with seizures and other symptoms. A few months later, I underwent resection surgeries to prevent future bleeds.

The surgeries wreaked additional havoc—headaches, seizures, fatigue, short attention span and memory loss, vertigo and poor balance, as well as severe depression. During the first couple of months post-surgery, my world revolved around my recovery. I was in survival mode, often fearful, often feeling alone. On good days, I took it one day at a time. On bad days (and there were many), I slid back three steps for every half step forward. There wasn’t much I could seize on those days.

A year into my recovery, I finally had the wherewithal to join the Angioma Alliance, an online support group for angioma patients. Through the website, members connect with each other, sharing war stories, sometimes asking questions but more often seeking reminders that we are not alone in our struggles.

All of us cavernous angioma patients live with an ax hanging over (or inside) our heads. There’s always a chance of a bleed, especially from an angioma that has bled before. Angiomas can cause symptoms even when they haven’t bled. A resected (surgically removed) angioma can grow back. Many of us who have the familial form of the disease have many angiomas and can generate new ones throughout our entire lives.

Those of us who are good candidates for brain surgery, where the benefits outweigh the risks of surgery, are considered the lucky ones. One of the members of the Alliance has an angioma located in her brain stem. Unfortunately, it is inoperable. My friend is scared of the very real possibility of a bleed causing her heart to stop beating or to suddenly take away her ability to breathe. Her fears often paralyze her, preventing her from taking life by the horns.

My fears emerge when a new symptom appears or a new manifestation of an old one emerges: is it a sign of a new bleed? Is a new angioma forming?

These days, more than ten years since the surgeries, my good days outnumber the bad. Most of the time, my fears hide beneath the surface, and when they do come out of hiding, they rarely paralyze me.

I should be able to seize the day.

I have several friends who are breast cancer survivors. Sheryl, at the age of seventy, learned to fly-fish and dragon boat. She paddles competitively and participates in national and international dragon boat races.

Darlene didn’t even jog before her diagnosis; now she runs marathons. She rarely traveled out of town, and now she travels frequently and extensively. She’s tried sky-diving, attends glitzy shows, and throws frequent pool parties.

Are these inspiring activities the only ways that count as living life to the fullest? Should I seize and celebrate life like my breast cancer survivor friends?

I have absolutely no interest in sky-diving or learning to fish. Glitzy shows have never been my thing, and I do my best to avoid parties.

Is it a matter of personality? Perhaps if I were as gregarious as my friends, I would live more like them. They may not have been as daring pre-cancer, but were they as gregarious as they are now? Perhaps they only developed that side of their personalities after the challenges of treatment and recovery. Was I supposed to have become more outgoing?

Having had to take a crash course in asking for help and admitting my weaknesses, I have become better at connecting with people. I’m not as extroverted as Sheryl and Darlene, but I am more outgoing than I was pre-surgery.

Still, I’m not a party-goer. My difficulties processing high volumes of sensory input keep me from activities such as sporting events and parties that involve large crowds, loud noises, and garish colors.

Perhaps it’s a matter of energy or lack thereof. Much of the time, I struggle through debilitating fatigue and have nothing left for celebrations. When I am overtired, my deficits are exacerbated and vertigo returns in full force, my balance is precarious, my attention span is that of a gnat, I have trouble accessing vocabulary, and my headaches are crippling.

I have to pace myself. I take one day at a time, shuffling through the bad brain days, enjoying the good days. Is that the best I can hope for? Is that seizing the day?

Like my cancer-surviving friends, my life has changed dramatically. I travel much more than in my pre-injury days, to Colorado and New York, Israel, and Mexico. Always, wherever I go, I must seek out quiet spots to recover and regroup. But once my inner traffic jams clear up, I join in the fun, though at a slower pace.

I do have more passion in my life—it comes to light in my teaching, in my writing, and in my need to make a difference in the world.

Within a few months of my surgeries, I moved into a more central neighborhood. I am within walking distance of shops and restaurants. I no longer drive everywhere. My awareness, both of myself and the world around me, has grown; I am more in tune with my fellow human beings, better able to interact with my surroundings. I live more quietly. I take leisurely walks, stopping to absorb my surroundings. I play with my grand-dog, enjoying his antics. Life is harder but more fulfilling.

Could my way also count as a celebration of life?

It is a lovely day outside. I am well rested after a rare night of decent sleep. I slip on my jacket and head out for a stroll along the nearby river.

This diem is definitely calling out to be carped, my way.

Image via FabyGreen/Pixabay.

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Surgeon David Nott: Hack led to Syria air strike

David Nott had helped Syrian surgeons via the internet - weeks later, their hospital was destroyed. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

IVF egg donor use rises sharply, HFEA figures show

Experts say it may be down to a greater awareness of egg donation and more donors coming forward. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Things people with chronic illness are sick of hearing

Rose and Alex have set up a project encouraging people to write and draw about their chronic illness. The best friends have drawn up a list of things they're sick of hearing. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Robotic dog in Dorset care home helps elderly residents

Biscuit the robotic dog responds to touch and speech to help people with dementia. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Patient and medics tackle Sahara race for Air Ambulance

Medics and a former patient take on a gruelling Sahara race to raise funds for London Air Ambulance. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Call for Alfie Dingley to be allowed medicinal cannabis

A mother shows the bruises from her "aggressive and angry" six-year-old son in the campaign for a special licence to use medicinal cannabis to treat his epilepsy. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Cannabis oil: Meet the woman taking it for breast cancer recovery

Nikki Bednall says she takes cannabis oil through "desperation not recreation" after her breast cancer. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

I had a transplant after my hairstyle made me go bald

MC Paigey Cakey says she feels "empowered" after having a hair transplant because she had traction alopecia. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Macular degeneration: 'I've been given my sight back'

Two patients have had pioneering stem cell therapy to restore their vision. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Alfie Dingley's medical cannabis petition to be handed to government

Alfie Dingley is six - his family want him to be able to use medical cannabis to manage his epilepsy. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Class A drugs 'brought in for patients' at Essex mental health trust

The BBC uncovers allegations that staff at an Essex mental health trust supplied vulnerable patients. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

What are opioids and what are the risks?

Donald Trump has announced plans to tackle the opioid crisis. What are they and why are they a problem? via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Teenagers with HIV: 'Just a little illness'

Missed sleepovers, exam issues, secrets from siblings - the challenges of growing up with HIV. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Chantelle Millward on Orkambi drug for cystic fibrosis patients

MPs are debating a petition calling for all people with cystic fibrosis to be given the life-changing, but very expensive, drug. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

TV anchor Andrea McLean: 'Give menopausal women M badges'

ITV's Andrea McLean, who reached early menopause, tells commuters to cut hot flush sufferers "slack". via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

What does the inside of your knee sound like?

A team at the Georgia Institute of Technology is developing a stethoscope for your knees. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

'Game changer' treatment for Multiple Sclerosis patients

Louise Willetts says she is completely well following treatment that was originally used on cancer patients. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Men with low sperm counts at increased risk of illness, study suggests

A study finds men with low sperm counts are more likely to have health issues that put them at risk. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

More evidence essential oils 'make male breasts develop'

A study finds chemicals in lavender and tea tree oil appear to be hormone disruptors. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Dorset orchestra forms 'first ensemble of disabled musicians'

The musicians hope to show that disabled people can and should be more involved in classical music. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Living healthy in Qatar: Why's it hard?

In Qatar, over 70% of the population is overweight or obese. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

'I wish I had the confidence to go out without make-up'

Twenty-nine-year-old Tracy has acne, and worries about what people think of her at work. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

'You have to present the perfect face online'

Lex has rosacea and says it's hard to be honest about her skin online. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Platypus milk: How it could combat superbugs

The weird semi-aquatic creature's milk could lead to the creation of a new type of antibiotic. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Bad blood: The rise and fall of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes

How a woman came up with an idea that could have revolutionised blood testing - if it had worked. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Disabled girl's Hoddesdon home adapted by volunteers

A toddler who was born with a hole in her heart has had her home revamped by builders. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

'I take 'smart drugs' despite risks'

Leora is a student who takes a 'smart drug' to help her cope with the pressures of university. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Hawking: Did he change views on disability?

"I think he's done more than anyone else," says a former student. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

First steps taken for vaccine pills

Researchers hope it could pave the way for needle-free inoculations for lots of different diseases. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

PMQs: Corbyn asks May about Hawking on health funding

Jeremy Corbyn quotes the late Prof Hawkins when he asks about finances and staff numbers in the NHS. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

'Nappies are like clothes, it's a fashion thing'

How Mexican entrepreneur Ixchel Anaya launched a reusable nappies business that exports around the globe. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Seven years of Syria’s health tragedy

After seven years of conflict in Syria, WHO has renewed its call for the protection of health workers and for immediate access to besieged populations.

Attacks on the health sector have continued at an alarming level in the past year. The 67 verified attacks on health facilities, workers, and infrastructure recorded during the first two months of 2018 amount to more than 50% of verified attacks in all of 2017. via WHO news Read More Here..

Professor Stephen Hawking's greatest wish

The physicist, who has died aged 76, had motor neurone disease. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Chinese takeaway can bust your salt allowance

Some takeaway dishes have half an adult's recommended daily allowance in just one dish, an analysis finds. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Girls' guide to what a 'normal' vulva looks like

The online reference tool, designed by health experts, aims to stem the cosmetic surgery "designer vagina" trend. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

NHS homeopathy ending in London

The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine will stop NHS homeopathy in April. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Mesh surgeon removed ovaries without prior consent

Tony Dixon is currently under investigation by North Bristol NHS Trust and the General Medical Council. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

A boy’s creative response to his mother’s illness

When Noah's mother was diagnosed with cancer, he came up with an idea to express his grief. Now his idea is being made into a book. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

The country where more than 70% of people are obese

Qatar is taking drastic action to help people lose weight and fight diabetes. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Australia fights drug addiction with plane flying lessons

A moment of fear in the air is part of a rehab programme in Australia. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Sugar tax: The Norwegians travelling to Sweden for sweets

Here's why some Norwegians are making a day trip to Sweden to get their sugar fix. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Working together for the health and welfare of humankind

1. We, the Heads of the International Narcotics Control Board, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Health Organization are committed to support our Member States to effectively address and counter the world drug problem.

We agree that if we are to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, including its health targets, we need to vigorously address the world drug problem with a greater focus on the health and well-being of people. We need a balanced, comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach that puts people at the centre of the response and in particular those who are the most vulnerable. via WHO news Read More Here..

Why is spitting so bad?

Why are people so upset at the video of football pundit Jamie Carragher spitting? via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Crossing the border for a sugar fix

Norway has led the way in introducing a sugar tax - but not everybody in the country is a fan. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Muscle loss in old age linked to fewer nerve signals

Research finds that nerves controlling the legs decrease by around 30% by the age of 75. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Genes have a role in empathy, study says

Scientists say empathy is not just something we learn - it is also affected by our genes. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Women regret casual sex less if they take the initiative

A study finds women have fewer regrets about casual sex if they initiated it and the sex was good. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Concerns over Coventry brain surgeon's operations

Two patients operated on by consultant neurosurgeon Hussien El-Maghraby went on to die. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Why two sisters are both having double mastectomies

A faulty gene means two sisters are at a higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Creative tension and different personalities

The WSJ on the creative tension between Keith Richards and Mick Jagger :

“They’re two really different guys, and that’s what makes it so powerful. It’s like a rubber band pulled really tight. When you release it, it goes flying—that creative tension is what makes it so enduring. They understand that something special happens when the two of them get together. The cognizance of that magic that only comes from the two of them can be frustrating, but also really powerful.”

I wish Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Gillan of Deep Purple had recognized this years ago. We would have gotten a few other brilliant albums in the 1970s and 1980s.

"No band has lasted as long as the Rolling Stones."

References:

The Wisdom of Keith Richards https://buff.ly/2FtraJ6

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Tumour patient's donor plea over snow-hit blood stocks

Beth Cobbold, 21, from Ipswich, said she would not be alive without blood donations. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

3D nipple tattoos - helping women after mastectomies

Lucy, from Bradford, uses a technique not currently in the UK to produce realistic 3D looking nipples for breast cancer survivors. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Rare identical triplets go home in Kansas City, Missouri

Mother Nicole decided against a Caesarean section, and all the boys are doing well. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Human genome pioneer dies

The death has been announced of the British genome pioneer Sir John Sulston. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

'I had a hysterectomy at 28 because my periods made me suicidal'

For years, Lucie was treated for mental health problems - in fact she had a severe form of premenstrual syndrome. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Dietary Intake of Omega Fatty Acids and Brain Health

Omega fatty acids are well known to be important for the normal functioning of our body. These fatty acids are essential for the formation of the cell membrane. They play a critical role in brain health. In addition, they are crucial for fertility, visual acuity, and optimal cardiovascular health. Omega-3 fatty acids also have an anti-inflammatory effect.

DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid. Omega fatty acids belong to a group called polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). There are several kinds of omega-3 fatty acids, but for humans, three of them are considered to be essential. These are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

ALA is a short-chain fatty acid that cannot be made by our body and thus regarded as essential. EPA and DHA are classified as long-chain fatty acids. Our body can produce them in small quantities and a very inefficient manner. This is why one’s diet should provide enough of the essential and semi-essential omega-3 fatty acids. ALA is the only fatty acid which is present in plant-based food products.

Although EPA and DHA, both of which are particularly essential for brain health, can be produced in the body from ALA, the conversion process is not very efficient. It is believed that only ~15% of dietary ALA can be converted to EPA or DHA. ALA is present in canola oil, flaxseed oil, and in some other plant oils in sufficient quantities, whereas DHA and ALA are mainly present in seafood (various varieties of fish) and found in small amounts in other animal or poultry products.

Research has shown that although fish are rich in omega fatty acids, they are not able to produce DHA or EPA. In fact, they get omega-3 fatty acids by ingesting phytoplankton. Phytoplankton, in turn, get DHA and EPA by eating microalgae that are able to produce these fatty acids. These findings draw attention to two important facts: the importance of fish and animal products in our diet for optimal cognitive health and the importance of preserving the fragile environmental balance where everything is interconnected.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the formation of phospholipids that are in turn required for cellular membranes. DHA is particularly critical for brain health, as demonstrated by its high content in the brain. Furthermore, since DHA helps to reduce the inflammatory responses, it may have a neuroprotective action.

There are lots of studies regarding the optimal intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and their optimal ratio in one’s diet. However, the recommendations in this regard remain inconclusive. Rather than focusing on the total amount of omega fatty acids or the ratio of various fatty acids, one should focus on the overall dietary intake of EPA and DHA.

Although EPA and DHA have been accepted to be essential for wellbeing, healthy aging, and slowing down or preventing neurodegeneration, their levels are rarely assessed in clinical conditions. There is no standardized, universally accepted range, but the most widely accepted normal level is ~3–4% of all plasma phospholipids (for EPA and DHA combined).

Plasma or serum fatty acid values are not very accurate, as they may change according to the content of recent meals. For this reason, many researchers recommend checking the content of EPA and DHA inthe red blood cell membranes, as this can give the approximate average of the last 120 days. At present, for European and American populations, 3–5% of EPA and DHA in erythrocyte membranes is considered in the normal range. In the Japanese population for example, where consumption of seafood is much higher, these numbers may be much higher too.

So what are the dietary recommendations for Omega-3s?

At present, for a healthy brain, it is recommended to consume 1.6 g of omega-3s daily for males, and 1.1 g daily for females. As mentioned earlier, specific attention should be paid to the content of DHA and EPA in food items. Flaxseed oil, chia seeds, and walnuts are all rich in ALA. However, DHA and EPA are mainly present in fish, seafood, and poultry. Considering that only a small amount of ALA can be converted to DHA or EPA, it puts vegans at risk of developing a deficiency in these omega acids and thus raises the risk of neurodegenerative disorders.

To counter the deficit of DHA in plant-based products, many manufacturers have started to fortify soy beverages, juices, and milk products with DHA. Dietary supplements are another way of obtaining sufficient amounts of DHA. However, as most dietary supplements are based on fish oil or krill oil, if a person is strictly vegetarian, they can take algal oil-based supplements.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-12 indicates that most of the population in the US are obtaining enough dietary omega-3 fatty acids. However, the majority of omega fatty acids are coming from a plant-based diet, meaning that American food is rich in ALA but deficient in EPA and DHA.

Diagnosing the omega-3 deficiency is not an easy task, as there is no lower cut-off value. Researchers don’t currently know at which level an omega fatty acid insufficiency may start causing problems. Things get complicated further by individual differences. Present scientific data are insufficient to know at what level there is a risk of neural deficits, visual impairment, or alterations in immune responses. However, some people may develop specific dermatological signs in the omega-3 deficiency, like scaling of the skin or unexplained dermatitis.

Classical omega-3 deficiency is rare in the US, but considering the importance of DHA and EPA for healthy aging and cognitive capacity, one may suppose that strict vegans, vegetarians, or those who don’t eat fish may be at higher risk when compared to those that do eat fish without supplementation.

References

Dyall, S. C. (2015). Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and the brain: a review of the independent and shared effects of EPA, DPA and DHA. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 7. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2015.00052

McNamara, R. K. (2010). DHA Deficiency and Prefrontal Cortex Neuropathology in Recurrent Affective Disorders. The Journal of Nutrition, 140(4), 864–868. doi:10.3945/jn.109.113233

Office of Dietary Supplements – Omega-3 Fatty Acids. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/

Weiser, M. J., Butt, C. M., & Mohajeri, M. H. (2016). Docosahexaenoic Acid and Cognition throughout the Lifespan. Nutrients, 8(2). doi:10.3390/nu8020099

Image via pixel2013/Pixabay.

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