Depression & Osteporosis
Medical News Today released an article linking depression and osteoporosis. Although no mechanisms were suggested, it was noted that the link was stronger in women and for those women at the end of their menses.
Excerpt: The results, say the researchers, show clearly that depressed individuals have a substantially lower bone density than non-depressed people and that depression is associated with a markedly elevated activity of cells that breakdown bone (osteoclasts).
Yirmiya and Bab found that the association between depression and bone loss was stronger in women than men, especially young women before the end of their monthly period.
My thoughts: The Link explained?
Studies have shown that both depression and osteoporosis have inflammation as an underlying mechanism. Estrogen has been shown to be anti-inflammatory as well and has an affect at the receptors of the osteoblast and osteoclast bone cells. This would explain why women may have a higher percentage of bone loss than men. Furthermore, hormones also act at neurotransmitter sites; therefore, this explains why hormonal balance would effect both mood and bone density.
Sources:
Barach, J. Link Between Depression & Osteoporosis. Medical News Today.November 10, 2009. (online)
McCormick, K. The Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis. DFH Clinicial Rounds. 2009.
Rifas L, Weitzmann MN. A novel T cell cytokine, secreted osteoclastogenic factor of activated T cells, induces osteoclast formation in a RANKL-Independent manner. Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Nov;60(11):3324-35. PMID 19877052
Estrogen, inflammation and mood: Molecular Psychiatry (2002) 7, 235-238. DOI:10.1038/sj/mp/4001007
Inflammation & Mood Disorders: Aristo Vojdani, Ph.D., M.Sc., M.T. The Mucosal Barrier Function Test. Functional Medicine teleseminar experts 2009 (Sept) Sponsor: BioHealth Diagnostic.
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Dark Chocolate & Stress
A recent study in the Journal of Proteome Research found that dark chocolate could help with the stress response in a report by Medical News Today.
Excerpt:
The results showed that:
- Subjects with higher anxiety trait had a distinct metabolic profile.
- This profile was indicative of a different energy homeostasis (characterized by lactate, citrate, succinate, trans-aconitate, urea, and proline), hormone metabolism (adrenaline, DOPA, 3-methoxy-tyrosine), and gut microbe activity (methylamines, p-cresol sulfate, hippurate).
- Dark chocolate reduced the amount of stress hormone cortisol and catecholamines in the urine.
- Dark chocolate also partially normalized stress-related differences in energy metabolism (glycine, citrate, trans-aconitate, proline, β-alanine) and gut microbial activities (hippurate and p-cresol sulfate).
My comment: (As stated in my previous article on dark chocolate):
Real chocolate, made from cacao beans, actually contains high levels of resveratrol, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. It is also being studied as a protective factor in obesity. Dark chocolate also contains high levels of the polyphenols catechin and epicatechin which are important anti-inflammatory compounds. These compounds have been found to boost immunity and help lower cholesterol.”
As stated above, mood disorders have been linked to inflammation, could dark chocolate be a solution? Well, dark chocolate also contains minerals, such as magnesium. Minerals are the body’s natural tranquilizers and are important for hormone conversion and enzyme processes. So those that are caffeine sensitive have the option of simply increasing their mineral content and cutting out inflammatory lifestyle choices. 🙂
Bonus Link: New recommendation for Aspirin: Re-assessing its use for stroke prevention:
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Happy Holidays everyone! I am grateful for you all!
