A dogs’ ability to detect infection is not surprising, given their acute sense of smell, believed to be around 100,000 times more acute than that of humans. The distinct olfactory gift that is associated with the canine species has, in fact, led scientists to conduct small-scale studies of dogs’ ability to detect the chemical markers of cancer, specifically melanoma, with extremely promising results. Much of the research in this area is based on the theory that a disease causes subtle chemical changes in the body, or alterations in metabolism, which in turn releases a different smell or chemical marker to which dogs can be trained to recognise. Whilst the concept that dogs may be used as a cancer diagnostic tool is doubtful, their use in heath care is certainly of significance. Indeed, their use as guide dogs and hearing dogs is now advancing to their use to warn their owners of epileptic seizures, low blood sugar and heart attacks to name but a few. So they really are man’s best friend!

There is increasing scientific focus on the mechanisms that occur within the body and brain of depressed patients. Indeed, it is becoming much clearer that inflammation significantly contributes to the cause and progress of depression, and that this triggers a myriad of processes that all contribute to the symptoms associated with the condition. It is difficult to comprehend that inflammation can trigger depression, because it is generally thought of as a response to injury or irritation that is characterised by physical processes such as pain and swelling.

However, inflammation need not be physical or obvious, and inflammatory processes and brain-immune interactions are now known to be involved in the development of major depression. Inflammation is certainly suggested to contribute to the dysfunction of biological systems involved in the production of important neurotransmitters (brain hormones) such as serotonin and noradrenalin. Indeed, increased levels of inflammatory products called cytokines (produced by immune cells, and involved in relaying messages between cells) have consistently been reported in patients with depression. Pro-inflammatory cytokines have many physiological functions but, significantly, have been reported to modulate central nervous system functions including a process called neurogenesis, which is simply the method by which nerve cells are generated. Excessive inflammation, and the production of cytokines amongst other things, causes a series of processes that ultimately damage neurones leading to their death. When cells within the brain die, this causes atrophy, or shrinking, by which there is loss of brain gray matter. Structural brain changes detected by a process called MRI scanning in depressed patients have been reported in several brain regions.

However, there appears to be hope offered through supplementing with fish oil. EPA is an omega-3 fatty acid known to help the symptoms of depression and reduce levels of inflammatory cytokines, whilst producing beneficial anti-inflammatory products. There is increasing scientific interest in the ability of EPA to prevent neuronal cell death and therefore reduce or prevent gray matter loss. Much of the pioneering work has focused on the role of EPA in Huntington’s disease with extremely promising results. Given the evidence that omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for conditions in which there is reduced gray matter atrophy, such as Huntington’s disease, supplementing with ethyl-EPA may have further positive benefits on gray matter volume in individuals with depression, and further studies to support this hypothesis are certainly warranted.

Puri BK, Bydder GM, Manku MS, Clarke A, Waldman AD, Beckmann CF. (2008)
Reduction in cerebral atrophy associated with ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid treatment in patients with Huntington’s disease. J Int Med Res. 36: 896-905.

Song C, Wang H. Cytokines mediated inflammation and decreased neurogenesis in animal models of depression.Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2010 [Epub ahead of print]

Indeed, several studies have highlighted that abnormal cell membrane fatty acid composition is related to risk and incidence of major depression, and that supplementation with omega-3, and specifically with EPA, appears to normalize fatty acid levels and reduce the symptoms associated with this condition. However different studies can report different findings, and whilst several studies may appear to give varied and often conflicting results, performing a meta-analysis gives an indication of general findings by ‘pooling’ the data from several studies to give an overall picture and therefore adding clarity to a concept.

A recent meta-analysis of 14 studies comparing the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids between depressive patients and control subjects found that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels were significantly lower in those individuals suffering from depression (Lin et al, 2010). Because the primary sources of these long-chain omega-3 fats are fish and shellfish, it is not surprising that those individuals with the highest consumption are the least likely to suffer from depression (Suominen-Taipale et al, 2010). Treating people who suffer with depression using fish oils is therefore a viable method for alleviating symptoms whilst restoring omega-3 levels. Given that low levels of omega-3 are also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as several other chronic disorders and conditions, the overall health benefits of raising omega-3 levels reach out much further as a nutritional approach to improving health.

Encouragingly, improvements in depressive symptoms can be seen as quickly as 8 weeks after commencing treatment. Indeed, a group of Montreal researchers have recently confirmed that taking omega 3 fish oil supplements, at doses higher than that normally consumed in an average diet, is superior to placebo in treating symptoms and that results can be observed within a two month time period (Lespérance et al, 2010). The results of this particular study also confirm EPA to be the predominant active ingredient responsible for the benefits of omega-3.

A meta-analysis of 28 trials investigating as to whether either EPA or docosahexanoeic acid (DHA) or both are responsible for the reported benefits showed that those trials in which EPA was the predominant or only fatty acid used, gave the most significant findings. Furthermore, it was suggested that the effects of 1g daily of EPA could be enhanced and prolonged by the addition of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid found in evening primrose oil (Martins 2009). Given that 1 in 4 individuals will suffer from depression at some point in their life, it is encouraging to know that there is a safe and natural way not only to treat depression but also as a method that could reduce the possibility of developing the condition in the first place.

Suominen-Taipale AL, Partonen T, Turunen AW, Männistö S, Jula A, Verkasalo PK.Fish consumption and omega-3 polyunsaturated Fatty acids in relation to depressive episodes: a cross-sectional analysis. PLoS One. 2010 May 7;5:e10530.

It is thought that people with IBS have an abnormal gastrocolic response. This is the physiological reflex that controls the movements of the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). Simply put, this mechanism controls the movement (peristalsis) that pushes food through and out of the gut. In IBS, simply eating or drinking can cause an over reaction of this process resulting in painful cramps, often resulting in diarrhoea.

Whilst the action of eating causes an increase in gut mobility, eating large meals seems to cause excessive cramping and bouts of diarrhoea, so a key tip is to try to eat small amounts and to try to eat regularly. Many people with IBS also find there are specific dietary triggers that can result in discomfort and bowel dysfunction. Knowing what foods to include, and what foods to avoid, can make a dramatic impact on regulating or avoiding specific symptoms.

Several gut peptides (types of protein), and neuropeptides are involved in the control of the gastrocolic reflex, of which serotonin is one such example. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter peptide, is generally known for its role in the regulation of mood, appetite, sleep, and some cognitive functions including memory and learning. However approximately 80% of the serotonin is actually produced in the body by the enterochromaffin cells found in the gut lining. The function of serotonin within the gut is to control muscle contractions, thereby functioning to maintain the movement of the intestines. Importantly however, many IBS sufferers can directly link stress to the onset of symptoms and it appears that there may, in some cases, be a link between serotonin, stress and IBS.

During a stressful experience there is a complex set of interactions between the hypothalamus (a part of the brain), the pituitary gland (also part of the brain) and the adrenal glands (at the top of each kidney). Several types of neurotransmitters are involved in this system, collectively known as the HPA-axis, which is thought to be dysfunctional in individuals with several conditions including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and depression to which IBS is often linked. Sufferers of these conditions can have numerous abnormalities in their hormonal, metabolic and brain-chemical activity including levels of serotonin. Dysregulation of the serotonin system has been found in individuals with IBS, with low levels associated with constipation, and high levels with diarrhoea (Sikander et al, 2009).

The link between stress, diet and IBS means that suffers can help reduce symptoms not only by modifying their diet, but also from reducing tension and stress through simple relaxation techniques such as: meditation, yoga and the Alexander Technique. Certainly living with IBS is far from pleasant, but with the right diet and learning how to manage stress, there is no reason why IBS should not be controllable. Let you control your IBS and not your IBS control you!

Sikander A, Rana SV, Prasad KK. (2009) Role of serotonin in gastrointestinal motility and irritable bowel syndrome. Clin Chim Acta. 403:47-55.

The subject was the ugly word ‘menopause’ (to which I still shudder slightly) and seemed to be on the minds of many of my dinner comrades. Whilst we all still proclaimed to be of healthy ‘child-bearing’ age it seemed that the menopause was in fact the next major event to look forward to in most of our lives (bar the daughter of my friend Shelly who, at the age of 24, found the whole conversation quite amusing).

So why the long faces? Well simply put, the menopause can be a rather unpleasant experience for many women. When the ovaries cease to produce eggs, oestrogen levels drop, the normal menstrual cycle is disrupted and the whole package results in a number of generally unpleasant symptoms. I have only one friend that I know of who is currently at this stage of her life, and as we were chatting her face lit up like a cartoon creation that had eaten chillies unwittingly. You could almost see the smoke leaving her ears as she panted like a small dog that had been left out in the sun without any water. After a few minutes her ruddy cheeks returned to normal and she muttered the words “sorry, hot flush”. Oh, what a joy to look forward to! Thereafter the subject was focused on who would and who wouldn’t turn to HRT (hormone replacement therapy). Whilst HRT is by far the most effective therapy, it seems that many people are turning to natural methods to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, for fear of side effects. So, what is out there exactly?

First let us consider the phytoestrogens (isoflavones: genistein and daidzein) found in red clover and products such as soya flour, soya milk, and tofu, which have a wide range of heath positive benefits. The interest in phytoestrogens has developed because of the epidemiological evidence that women whose diets are rich in these compounds, such as women in Japan and Asia, appear to have a much lower incidence of “Western diseases” such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancers of the breast, colon, and womb. Women in these countries also do not appear to suffer the same way with hot flushes and sweats as we do in the western world. Another beneficial plant is black cohosh from the buttercup family, which grows in eastern and central areas of the United States. Black cohosh was used by Native Americans as a traditional folk remedy for womens’ health conditions, such as menstrual cramps and hot flashes, arthritis and muscle pain. Whilst some people may not be familiar with the benefits associated with black cohosh, they are likely to be aware of the general association between menopausal as well as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and evening primrose oil.

Evening Primrose oil is a plant oil that contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid. GLA is involved in the metabolism of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins that regulate pain and inflammation in the body and can help with both the hot flushes and mood swings associated with menopause. Whilst all of the above are relatively well known alternatives to HRT, ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid (E-EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, has recently been shown to be an effective method for reducing hot flushes.

Results from the first double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of E-EPA published last year found that E-EPA was more effective than the placebo in reducing hot flushes, with a 55% average reduction in symptoms in these women (Lucas et al, 2009). EPA, like GLA, is the precursor to a family of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins and works, therefore, in a similar way to that of GLA. Combining these two anti-inflammatory products in one product such as Vegepa certainly offersa unique method of managing menopausal symptoms, either on its own or in combination with other approaches.

Lucas M, Asselin G, Mérette C, Poulin MJ, Dodin S. (2009) Effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on hot flashes and quality of life among middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Menopause 16:357-66.

The Glycemic Index

The brain needs energy supplied at an even rate in order to function optimally. Sudden peaks in blood sugar will adversely affect behaviour, anxiety, depression, and fatigue, so it is particularly important for people with depression to keep their blood glucose levels even. Although commonly known for its diabetes and weight loss benefits, the glycemic index (most commonly referred to as GI index), which ranks carbohydrates according to their effect on blood glucose levels, is a good guide to informing us which foods to include as part of a healthy diet, and indeed which foods to limit.

While all carbohydrate foods are eventually broken down into glucose, quick-release simple carbohydrates (such as high sugar foods, glucose and fructose) are broken down more quickly into glucose than complex carbohydrates (such as wholemeal grains), releasing glucose rapidly into the bloodstream. Repeated ‘spikes’ of glucose can decrease insulin sensitivity, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as promoting oxidative stress in the veins and arteries – a cause of coronary heart disease. After the highs come the energy-sapping blood sugar lows and, frequently, strong urges to reach for another sugary carbohydrate snack to perk us up. Indeed individuals who suffer from atypical depression (a subtype of depression) often overeat and report an almost irresistible craving for carbohydrates.

White sugar and other refined carbohydrates, such as those found in processed white bread and white pasta, white rice and most convenience foods, supply few nutrients to the body but use up important B vitamins, which are essential for our nervous and immune systems, as well as healthy digestion. Avoiding refined foods and sugar, as well as consuming foods with a low GI value, will help to keep blood sugar levels even. Perhaps a more accurate reference guide to prevent blood sugar spikes is the Glycemic Load(GL) ranking system, which is based on a food’s GI value and average portion size. For example, whilst an apple is not low GI, it has a low GL and will barely influence blood sugar levels.

Micronutrient deficiencies

It is extemely common for depression sufferers to have low levels of B vitamins and essential minerals such as zinc, selenium and magnesium. These water-soluble vitamins and minerals must be consumed daily to avoid depletion. Deficiency can, in turn, hinder the body’s ability to utilise specific omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to lift our mood by elevating serotonin and regulating levels of this important neurotransmitter.

EPA, a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, not only influences serotonin and dopamine in the brain, but is also converted to powerful anti-inlammatories via a series of enzyme-mediated steps. It is these enzymes that rely on the presence of B vitamins and essential minerals in order to function, without which the body’s production of natural anti-inflammatories is minimal, and can even result in the production of inflammatory substances. Combining a good nutritional vitamin and mineral supplement with 1 gram EPA daily (or 4 capsules Vegepa) can help to balance serotonin levels and alleviate the symptoms of depression.

Carbohydrate cravings are also linked with low levels of chromium, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce cravings. This is because for blood sugar to provide energy, it must be escorted into each of our cells where the energy conversion takes place. Insulin then ‘unlocks’ the cell, allowing glucose to pass in. But there is a missing link. Insulin doesn’t work properly unless biologically active chromium is present as a cofactor (much like a catalyst).

With many modern food processing methods, up to 80% of chromium is lost – particularly with whole wheat and raw sugar when they are processed to white flour and refined sugar. If we regularly opt for these refined foods over their healthy wholegrain relatives, chromium levels within the body can easily become depleted.

Whilst it is likely a low priority during episodes of low mood to concentrate on our eating habits, following a few general guidelines can help to restore healthy brain chemistry and minimise sugar-induced mood swings.

- Avoid processed foods.

- Keep red meat to a minimum or eat organic (red meat is high in inflammatory omega-6 unless animals are fed on natural grass).

- Drink plenty of water, as the brain needs to be hydrated to function at its best.

– Don’t forget your ‘five a day’. Make sure you get plenty of vitamins and minerals by eating a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. If you eat them raw they’ll supply even more nutrients.

– Eat two portions of oily fish weekly to top up on omega-3, containing the natural antidepressant EPA, or take 2 capsules of Vegepa morning and night.

If you found this article interesting, you might like to read more about anti depression foods.

Coffee, however, like the majority of food stuffs we consume, is a complex composition. The side effects often associated with a steaming cup of java are actually the result of caffeine, which belongs to a group of stimulants called xanthenes. In moderation, caffeine can have very positive effects. It gives us more energy, heightens our ability to concentrate and makes us think more clearly and can even elevate our mood. That doesn’t sound so bad. But as with most things it merely boils down to moderation. If we drink caffeinated coffee in moderation it can increase alertness and mental stamina. If we drink too much too quickly, however, we are faced with the unpleasant side effects: nausea, confusion and excitability, which can be wholly unpleasant.

As with most things in life it’s not as simple as black or white. We need to look at the diet as a whole. Most foods we eat will have positive and negative factors, of which we are constantly being reminded by the tabloid headlines. Often telling just one side of the story, these messages can be somewhat confusing and frequently leave people rather bewildered as to what to consume and what to avoid. It’s a case of being sensible, taking everything in moderation and listening to the messages your body tells you. If you get the shakes after your morning espresso then that’s your body saying stop now, that’s enough.

So far so good, until I open up the paper to page two where I am met with the words “although side effects are rare, they can include muscle pain and damage to the liver and kidneys.” I guess this is what infuriates me. With the majority of pharmaceuticals there will be the downside list of side effects or contraindications that steal some of the glamour from a treatment programme. Take NSAIDs, for example; these are common over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, like Ibubrofen.

Whilst one of the most common over-the-counter drugs and used by millions, NSAIDs are associated with several side effects, of which many are probably not known by the common user. Whilst the frequency of side effects varies among NSAIDs, the most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, rash, dizziness and headache (interesting that we often take them when we have a headache!). NSAIDs may also cause fluid retention, leading to oedema. The most serious side effects are kidney failure, liver failure, ulcers, an increased risk of heart attack and prolonged bleeding after an injury or surgery.

So why is it that if there is a natural alternative which we can take for both of these drugs and without the associated side effects, that we are not advised? Let me speak firstly about cholesterol. In the 1970s Danish researchers discovered that in spite of their high-cholesterol, high-fat, diet Greenland Eskimos had an astonishingly low incidence of cardiovascular disease (as well as arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases). When analysing blood samples it was discovered that they had low levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and low levels of VLDL (triglyceride), but high levels of HDL (good cholesterol). It appeared that their high intake of omega-3 was responsible for this low risk of heart disease. Since this research emerged, much focus has been centred on the role of omega-3 fatty acids and, more recently, specifically the role of EPA in lowering cholesterol levels. EPA reduces cholesterol production by inhibiting the activity of another enzyme called acyl-CoA but without the side effects associated with statins. EPA also acts as an anti-inflammatory in a similar mechanism to that of NSAIDs, but again without the side effects. So my message today is to boost your EPA levels on a long-term basis and you may well lower the possibilities of having to resort to pharmaceuticals with all sorts of side effects.

Increase your fish intake and adopt a more Eskimo-like diet! For those who don’t like fish, you can opt for a high-EPA supplement. Purified fish oils actually are a useful alternative to oily fish consumption and, unlike most oily fish, are contamination-free.

Our nervous system acts very similarly to an electrical cable; with the nerve’s ‘impulse’ adopting the role of the electrical wire itself, and the ‘myelin sheath’ (the ‘skin’ of the nerve), mimicking the insulation surrounding the wire. If the wire becomes damaged, then the nerve signal will not travel efficiently along the wire, nor will it transmit the intended messages as instantaneously. This delay results inevitably in the ‘classic’ symptoms of neuropathy; namely; tingling, numbness, ‘burning’ and pain.

A causative link has been drawn between neuropathy and deficiencies of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids within the body. Indeed, insulin itself plays a pivotal role in the metabolism of EFAs (essential fatty acids), by alerting the genes necessary for enzyme-conversion to begin the process of converting short-chain fatty acids into a bio-available (i.e. usable by the body) long-chain fatty acid.

Where insulin is absent, or enzyme-activity impeded, the enzymes needed to create specific fatty acids cannot be produced and a deficiency results. Of the myelin layer which protects our vulnerable nerves, an estimated 75 % is composed exclusively of EFA’s (these are termed ‘essential’ because the body cannot generate them independently, but must instead source them externally from the diet). Depletion of this fatty, insulatory layer, leads to severe nerve damage (Neuropathy).

Nutrition, as all Diabetics are painfully aware, is central to the manufacture of insulin and for creating the right ‘biological environment’ to encourage enzyme conversions to take place. By boosting or supplementing our dietary levels of long-chain fatty acids we can essentially sidestep the risk that the enzyme-mediated conversions will fail to progress past the initial hurdle.

Fatty acid supplementation nourishes the myelin sheath, and prevents further degeneration of inter-cellular communication; it reduces the risk of developing Neuropathy, and actually reinvigorates nerve endings to overcome numbness and the likelihood of eventual tissue loss. However, EPA, a specific omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil that appears to have significant beneficial effects on diabetic neuropathy and serum lipids as well as other diabetic complications such as nephropathy (kidney damage) and macroangiopathy (damage to the blood vessels). EPA plays a role in the compaction, stabilization, and maintenance of myelin sheaths by regulating the production of proteolipid protein or PLP. PLP is literally the ‘glue’ that hold in place the sheets of protective fats that cover the nerve axon. Loss of PLP is associated with many conditions that have nerve damage including Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington chorea.

OmegaForce is a patented formulation of omega-3 and 6 long-chain fatty acids with a multitude of health-enhancing properties, including anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving actions. For more information on the relationship between EPA deficiency and the pathogenesis of Diabetic Neuropathy, please go to www.igennus.com

Results published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease suggest that high doses of omega-3 fish oil daily (3 grams per day) cut levels of the amino acid homocysteine by 22%, compared with less than 1% in the placebo group.

81 diabetics took part in this randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial, which lasted two months with participants randomly assigned to either receive 3 grams of omega-3 or a sunflower oil placebo daily.

Previous research has linked increased levels of homocysteine with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. By lowering levels of this amino acid in the blood, scientists believe it is possible to reduce their heart disease risk, providing support for the inclusion of omega-3s as part of the diabetic diet. Evidence is not yet conclusive however, and further research needs to be conducted before firm conclusions may be drawn.

The number of diabetics diagnosed with the disease soared by 70,000 in the UK between 2006-7, according to a report by the Information Centre for Health and Social Care.
According to their report, people affected by diabetes in the UK has climbed to 3.7 per cent, with a record number of 1,986,200 people diagnosed with the condition; a further 750,000 people are likely to have diabetes and not be aware of it. These figures paint a worrying picture for the health of the nation.

The Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, Douglas Smallwood, commented: “These figures are truly alarming as diabetes is a serious condition, which can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and nerve damage that can cause amputation . We need to do all we can to raise awareness of the condition and to encourage people to follow a healthy diet, and pursue an active lifestyle to help them reduce their risk of developing diabetes.”

When you consider that the impact of our 24/7 culture is that we tend to drive to work, drink a little too much, eat too few freshly prepared meals (not to mention that most of us are probably short on dietary fibre) you can appreciate why diabetes is becoming a real problem.

This is not to say that there’s nothing we can do about it, however. Simple changes to our diet and lifestyle and dramatically decrease our chance of developing diabetes and, if you’re affected already, it is definitely possible to influence the likelihood of associated health problems as the condition advances. As a nutrition scientist I would advise a diet with increased fibre, whole grains, few sugars, as well as cutting out the bad fats – this is actually a good approach for anyone.

I’d also add to the diet highly concentrated omega-3 fish oil containing pure EPA, an active component of fish oil which is especially beneficial for reducing the risk of complications in the cardiovascular system. OmegaForce is ideal in this respect, as it combines with pure EPA the omega-6 GLA (highly anti-inflammatory) with the omega-9 oleic acid from olive oil, its benefits associated with the healthy Mediterranean diet.

For more information about omega-3 fatty acids and how they can be included as part of the diet, click here.