With a little help from their Virtual friend, older Latino adults get more exercise

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging;  Arthritis / Rheumatology;  Hypertension
Article Date: 16 Aug 2013 - 1:00 PDT Current ratings for:
With a little help from their Virtual friend, older Latino adults get more exercise

When it comes to getting motivated to exercise and do things that are good for our health, sometimes all it takes is a little help from our friends.

This was certainly the case for a group of older, Latino adults in Northern California: They benefited from the advice and encouragement of a virtual friend - a physical-activity adviser named Carmen, a new study reports.

Individuals who participated in an exercise program guided by the virtual adviser had an eight-fold increase in walking compared with those who did not, according to the study, published online today in the Journal of Health Communication. Led by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine, it is believed to be among the first "e-health" studies geared toward a non-English speaking, older-adult population with low literacy.

"The results indicate that a virtual adviser delivering culturally and linguistically adapted physical activity advice led to meaningful four-month increases in walking relative to control among underserved older adults," the study says. "This interactive technology, which requires minimal language and computer literacy, may help reduce health disparities by ensuring that all groups benefit from 'e-health' opportunities."

The lead author of the study is Abby King, PhD, professor of health research and policy and of medicine, and director of the Healthy Aging Research & Technology Solutions laboratory at the Stanford Prevention Research Center.

Electronic games and programs that promote healthy habits have proliferated in recent years. King studies the effectiveness of those specifically targeted toward older adults and said she believes older adults represent the perfect population for such interventions. "[They] are at particular risk for the chronic diseases that can be positively influenced by reasonably modest improvements in physical activity," she and her co-authors write in the paper.

This study was based on an earlier study of a successful two-month, physical activity intervention geared toward older, primarily low-income African-Americans. The earlier study, led by Timothy Bickmore, PhD, associate professor at Northeastern University, involved the use of an interactive computer character that simulated face-to-face counseling; participants interacted with the adviser by touching responses shown on the computer screen.

The new study, of which Bickmore is a co-author, targeted another underserved (and often inactive) population: low-income, older, Latino adults. The digital adviser was modified to fit in with local Latino culture and to offer interactions in English or Spanish.

For the trial, King and her colleagues recruited 40 inactive adults, ages 55 and older, from a primarily Latino population in San Jose, Calif. More than 92.5 percent self-identified as Latino, and 81 percent reported an annual household income of less than $50,000. The great majority (92 percent) reported a history of chronic illnesses, with the most common being high blood pressure, high cholesterol and arthritis.

Study participants were randomly assigned to a four-month walking intervention, coached by Carmen the virtual adviser, or to a control group. Those in the intervention program were taught to use a pedometer to track their daily steps. During weekly sessions, Carmen evaluated their pedometer information to provide them with personalized feedback, problem-solving and goal-setting. Participants were encouraged to interact weekly with Carmen, who was made available to them through a computer at a local senior center.

The researchers looked at the change in walking behavior at two months and four months, and also assessed whether the participants were adopting any strategies taught by Carmen. After four months, the researchers found that participants increased the amount of time they walked by an average of about 253 minutes each week - eight times more than the increase in the control group.

The investigators also found that five motivational behavior-change strategies significantly increased over four months for those in the intervention program. These included "understanding the risks of inactivity, committing oneself to being physically active, substituting more active alternatives, rewarding oneself for being physically active and reminding oneself to be physically active," the study said. These skills, it noted, "have been associated with positive health behavior change in other populations."

"While we hoped that the culturally tailored, individualized program would appeal to older Latino adults, we were surprised and gratified to see how well the group of participants randomized to receive Carmen-based counseling actually did," King said.

King also said she was heartened that so many participants requested access to Carmen after the data-collection period of the study was over. The researchers left the computer program at the senior center for an additional 20 weeks, and all but one of the participants assigned to the intervention interacted with Carmen during that time.

The study enrollment was small, but the researchers are encouraged by the results. "We believe that, with some additional development and larger-scale testing, these types of virtual adviser programs have the potential for wide adoption and dissemination throughout other communities," King said, adding that the virtual adviser could be modified based on the ethnicity of other targeted groups.

King and Bickmore were recently awarded a National Institutes of Health grant to conduct a larger, randomized trial of the program. They plan to assess Carmen's effectiveness as a personal adviser over a longer time period and identify who might benefit the most from using this type of support. The plan is to deploy Carmen at numerous community centers across the San Francisco Bay Area.

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our obesity / weight loss / fitness section for the latest news on this subject.

Other Stanford co-authors of the paper include research assistant Maria Ines Campero and Leslie Pruitt, PhD, who was a senior research scientist at the time the study was conducted.

The study was supported by a Public Health Service grant (R21CA127511) from the National Cancer Institute. Information about Stanford's Department of Health Research and Policy and the Department of Medicine, both of which also supported the research, is available at http://medicine.stanford.edu/.

Stanford University Medical Center

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Brain functioning in HIV-infected adults improved by Exercise

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness;  Neurology / Neuroscience
Article Date: 15 Aug 2013 - 1:00 PDT Current ratings for:
Brain functioning in HIV-infected adults improved by Exercise

Regular exercise is not only good for health, but can give people living with HIV a significant mental boost. This is according to a study by Dr. David J. Moore and colleagues at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), published in Springer's Journal of NeuroVirology.

The study found that HIV-infected adults who exercise suffered significantly less neurocognitive impairment compared to patients who do not exercise.

Moore and his team, including UCSD medical student Catherine Dufour, found that HIV-infected adults who exercise were approximately half as likely to show signs of neurocognitive impairment as compared to those who do not. They also had better working memory and could process information faster than patients who follow a sedentary lifestyle.

Despite recent advances in antiretroviral treatment, impaired brain functioning is a reality faced by nearly half of all people living with HIV. This ranges from asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment, to more pronounced deficits that interfere with daily functioning, such as problems with financial management, driving and taking medication regularly.

The major benefit of exercise to the brain seems to be the reduction of neurocognitive risk factors, such as high blood pressure and abnormally high levels of lipids in the blood. Metabolic syndrome associated with the use of antiretroviral treatment is also linked to an increase in cerebrovascular risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

In the study, 335 community-dwelling HIV-infected people were asked how much exercise they undertook during the previous 72 hours, and persons were classified into those who engaged in significant exercise (e.g., activities that make the heart beat rapidly) and those who did not. Seven cognitive areas commonly affected by HIV were tested, including verbal fluency, working memory, speed of information processing, learning, recall, executive function and motor function.

The study extends prior findings about the link between exercise and cognition among HIV-infected people by showing that this association is also true in a diverse and large group of people living with the disease. Compounding factors were taken into account, such as demographics, HIV disease characteristics, substance use, past and current depression, mental health status and physical functioning.

"Exercise as a modifiable lifestyle behavior may reduce or potentially prevent neurocognitive impairment in HIV-infected persons," says Moore. "Physical exercise, together with other modifiable lifestyle factors such as education, social engagement, cognitive stimulation and diet could be fruitful interventions to support people living with HIV."

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our hiv / aids section for the latest news on this subject.

Physical exercise is associated with less neurocognitive impairment among HIV-infected adults

Dufour, C.A. et al (2013). Journal of NeuroVirology DOI 10.1007/s13365-013-0184-8.

212-620-8063 Springer Science+Business Media

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Children of obese mothers at greater risk of early heart death as adults

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 14 Aug 2013 - 0:00 PDT Current ratings for:
Children of obese mothers at greater risk of early heart death as adults

Children of obese and overweight women have a higher risk of early cardiovascular death as adults, finds a study published on bmj.com.

The findings highlight the urgent need for strategies to prevent obesity in women of childbearing age and the need to assess the offspring of obese mothers for their cardiovascular risk, say the authors.

Rates of maternal obesity have risen rapidly in the past two decades. In the United States, about 64% of women of reproductive age are overweight and 35% are obese, with a similar pattern in Europe.

Many studies have shown a link between maternal obesity and disease later in life, but it is still not clear whether maternal obesity is associated with increased death in offspring from cardiovascular causes.

Using birth and death records from 1950 to the present day, a team of researchers from the Universities of Edinburgh and Aberdeen in Scotland identified 28,540 women - whose body mass index (BMI) was recorded at their first antenatal visit - and their 37,709 offspring who were aged between 34 and 61 at the time of follow up.

BMI was defined as underweight (BMI 18.5 or less), normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9), overweight (BMI 25-29.9), and obese (BMI 30 or more).

Relevant details about the pregnancy were collated, including the mother's age at delivery, number of previous pregnancies, mother and father's social class and infant sex, birth weight and gestation at delivery.

Among the mothers, 21% were overweight and 4% were obese. Among the 37,709 offspring there were 6551 premature deaths from any cause and, among the deceased, 294 had had obese mothers at birth.

The researchers found that the risk of premature death was 35% higher in the adult offspring of obese mothers compared to those whose mothers had had normal weight. This was after adjusting the results for factors including the mother's age at delivery, number of previous pregnancies, mother and father's social class and infant sex, birth weight and gestation at delivery.

They also found a 42% increased risk (adjusted for the same factors) of a hospital admission for a cardiovascular event in the adult offspring of obese mothers compared with offspring of mothers with normal BMI.

The offspring of overweight mothers also had a higher risk of adverse events later in life.

It is thought that being overweight in pregnancy may cause permanent changes in appetite control and energy metabolism in the offspring, leading to a greater risk of heart problems later in life.

With rising rates of excess weight among pregnant women, the authors say their findings are "a major public health concern" and indicate that the offspring of obese mothers are a high risk group who should be assessed for cardiovascular risk, and actively encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

"As one in five women in the UK is currently obese at antenatal booking, strategies to optimise weight before pregnancy are urgently required," they conclude.

Dr Sohinee Bhattacharya, of the University of Aberdeen, said: "This study highlights the importance of weight management in mothers and their offspring. We need to find out how to help young women and their children control their weight better so that chronic disease risk is not transmitted from generation to generation."

Jacqui Clinton, Health Campaigns Director at Tommy's, said: "This new study adds to a growing body of evidence that obesity during pregnancy can have a long term impact on children, affecting their adult weight, health and even their life expectancy. If we are to tackle obesity in the UK, we need to start at conception and help mums to limit the impact of their weight on their babies - research shows that eating a healthy diet and taking moderate exercise while pregnant can make a big difference. Looking after a baby's health while in the womb may not only increase the chances of a healthy birth, but of a longer, healthier life."

In an accompanying editorial, Dr Factor-Litvak from the Department of Epidemiology in New York, says that this study leaves open two questions. Firstly, what is the role of the early post natal environment and secondly, what is the role of parental obesity? She asks what the implications of the study are, concluding that along with recommended weight gain for overweight and obese women, "interventions should begin before pregnancy".

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
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FDA approves treatment for major depressive disorder in adults

Main Category: Depression
Also Included In: Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals
Article Date: 30 Jul 2013 - 2:00 PDT Current ratings for:
FDA approves treatment for major depressive disorder in adults

Forest Laboratories, Inc. announced that FETZIMA (levomilnacipran extended-release capsules) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults. MDD, also generally known as depression, affects almost 16 million adults in the United States every year. MDD is a serious medical condition, and despite available options, people with MDD often struggle to find a treatment that works for them -- so FDA approval of FETZIMA may be important for adults living with MDD.

FETZIMA is the most recent addition to Forest's growing mental health portfolio. For more than 15 years, Forest Laboratories has been driven by a focus on addressing unmet needs in the area of mental health. Forest's franchise now includes two marketed products for MDD:

VIIBRYD® (vilazodone HCl), launched in 2011, is the first and only selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and 5-HT1A partial receptor agonist and is indicated for the treatment of adults with MDD.And now FETZIMA, approved in July 2013, is a once-daily serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) indicated for MDD in adults.Please see Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warning, for FETZIMA and VIIBRYD below.

Together, these products reflect Forest's research-driven approach toward identifying and developing a range of treatment options for the millions of Americans who live with MDD.

In three placebo-controlled, pivotal Phase III studies of adult patients with MDD, statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in depressive symptoms was demonstrated across three FETZIMA dosage strengths of 40, 80, and 120 mg once daily compared with placebo as measured by the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score (primary endpoint). FETZIMA also demonstrated superiority over placebo as measured by improvement in the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) functional impairment total score (secondary endpoint).

FETZIMA is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) indicated for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults.

FETZIMA is not approved for the management of fibromyalgia. The efficacy and safety of FETZIMA for the management of fibromyalgia have not been established.

WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS

Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies. These studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in patients over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in patients aged 65 and older.

In patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy, monitor closely for worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Advise families and caregivers of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. FETZIMA is not approved for use in pediatric patients.

FETZIMA is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to levomilnacipran, milnacipran HCl, or to any excipient in the formulation.The use of MAOIs intended to treat psychiatric disorders with FETZIMA or within 7 days of stopping treatment with FETZIMA is contraindicated due to an increased risk of serotonin syndrome. The use of FETZIMA within 14 days of stopping an MAOI intended to treat psychiatric disorders is also contraindicated.Starting FETZIMA in a patient who is being treated with MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue is also contraindicated due to an increased risk of serotonin syndrome.Do not use FETZIMA in patients with uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma. All patients being treated with antidepressants should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment and when increasing or decreasing the dose. Consider changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing the medication, in patients whose depression is persistently worse or includes symptoms of anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, akathisia, hypomania, mania, or suicidality that are severe, abrupt in onset, or were not part of the patient's presenting symptoms. Families and caregivers of patients being treated with antidepressants should be alerted about the need to monitor patients daily. Prescriptions for FETZIMA should be written for the smallest quantity of capsules consistent with good patient management, in order to reduce the risk of overdose.Serotonin Syndrome: The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome has been reported with SNRIs and SSRIs both when taken alone, but especially when co-administered with other serotonergic agents (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, and St. John's Wort) and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin (in particular, MAOIs, both those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue). Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes (eg, agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (eg, tachycardia, labile blood pressure, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia), neuromuscular symptoms (eg, tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination), seizures, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms. If symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur, discontinue FETZIMA and initiate supportive treatment. If concomitant use of FETZIMA with other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, patients should be aware of a potential increased risk for serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases.SNRIs, including FETZIMA, have been associated with increases in blood pressure. Blood pressure should be measured prior to initiating treatment and periodically throughout FETZIMA treatment. Pre-existing hypertension should be controlled before initiating treatment with FETZIMA. For patients who experience a sustained increase in blood pressure, discontinuation or other appropriate medical intervention should be considered.SNRIs including FETZIMA have been associated with an increase in heart rate. Heart rate should be measured prior to initiating treatment and periodically throughout FETZIMA treatment. Pre-existing tachyarrhythmias and other cardiac disease should be treated before starting therapy with FETZIMA. For patients who experience a sustained increase in heart rate, discontinuation or other appropriate medical intervention should be considered.SSRIs and SNRIs, including FETZIMA, may increase the risk of bleeding events, some serious. Concomitant use of aspirin, warfarin, NSAIDs and other anticoagulants may add to this risk.Mydriasis has been reported in association with SNRIs including FETZIMA; therefore, FETZIMA should be used with caution in patients with controlled narrow-angle glaucoma. Patients with raised intraocular pressure should be monitored. DO NOT use FETZIMA in patients with uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma.SNRIs, including FETZIMA, can affect urethral resistance. Caution is advised when using FETZIMA in patients prone to obstructive urinary disorders.Symptoms of mania/hypomania were reported in 0.2% of FETZIMA-treated patients and 0.2% of placebo-treated patients in clinical studies. As with all antidepressants, FETZIMA should be used cautiously in patients with a history or family history of bipolar disorder, mania or hypomania. Prior to initiating treatment with FETZIMA, patients should be adequately screened to determine if they are at risk for bipolar disorder. FETZIMA is not approved for use in treating bipolar depression.FETZIMA should be prescribed with caution in patients with a seizure disorder.Discontinuation symptoms, some serious, have been reported with discontinuation of serotonergic antidepressants such as FETZIMA. Gradual dose reduction is recommended, instead of abrupt discontinuation, whenever possible. Monitor patients when discontinuing FETZIMA. If intolerable symptoms occur following a dose decrease or upon discontinuation of treatment, consider resuming the previously prescribed dose and decreasing the dose at a more gradual rate.Advise patients that if they are treated with diuretics or are otherwise volume depleted, or are elderly, they may be at greater risk of developing hyponatremia while taking FETZIMA. Although no cases of hyponatremia resulting from FETZIMA treatment were reported in the clinical studies, hyponatremia has occurred as a result of treatment with SSRIs and SNRIs. FETZIMA should be discontinued in patients with symptomatic hyponatremia and appropriate medical intervention should be instituted.

The most commonly observed adverse reactions in MDD patients treated with FETZIMA in placebo-controlled studies (incidence =5% and at least twice the rate of placebo) were: nausea, constipation, hyperhidrosis, heart rate increased, erectile dysfunction, tachycardia, vomiting, and palpitations.

Please also see full Prescribing Information for FETZIMA.

WARNING: SUICIDALITY AND ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS

Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of VIIBRYD or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. VIIBRYD is not approved for use in pediatric patients.

Serotonin Syndrome and MAOIs: Do not use MAOIs intended to treat psychiatric disorders with VIIBRYD or within 14 days of stopping treatment with VIIBRYD. Do not use VIIBRYD within 14 days of stopping an MAOI intended to treat psychiatric disorders. In addition, do not start VIIBRYD in a patient who is being treated with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue.

All patients treated with antidepressants should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment and when changing the dose. Consider changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing the medication, in patients whose depression is persistently worse or includes symptoms of anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, akathisia, hypomania, mania, or suicidality that are severe, abrupt in onset, or were not part of the patient's presenting symptoms. Families and caregivers of patients being treated with antidepressants should be alerted about the need to monitor patients daily. Prescriptions for VIIBRYD should be written for the smallest quantity of tablets consistent with good patient management, in order to reduce the risk of overdose.

Serotonin Syndrome: The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome has been reported with SNRIs and SSRIs, including VIIBRYD, both when taken alone, but especially when co-administered with other serotonergic agents (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, and St. John's Wort) and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin (in particular, MAOIs, both those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue). Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes (eg, agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (eg, tachycardia, labile blood pressure, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia), neuromuscular symptoms (eg, tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination), seizures, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms. If symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur, discontinue VIIBRYD and initiate supportive treatment. If concomitant use of VIIBRYD with other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, patients should be aware of a potential increased risk for serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases. Patients should be monitored for the emergence of serotonin syndrome.

Like other antidepressants, VIIBRYD should be prescribed with caution in patients with a seizure disorder.

The use of drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake, including VIIBRYD, may increase the risk of bleeding events. Patients should be cautioned about the risk of bleeding associated with the concomitant use of VIIBRYD and NSAIDs, aspirin, warfarin, or other drugs that affect coagulation or bleeding.

Symptoms of mania/hypomania were noted in 0.1% of patients treated with VIIBRYD in clinical studies. As with all antidepressants, VIIBRYD should be used cautiously in patients with a history or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania.

Prior to initiating treatment with an antidepressant, patients with depressive symptoms should be adequately screened to determine if they are at risk for bipolar disorder. VIIBRYD is not approved for use in treating bipolar depression.

Discontinuation symptoms have been reported with discontinuation of serotonergic drugs such as VIIBRYD. Gradual dose reduction is recommended, instead of abrupt discontinuation, whenever possible. Monitor patients when discontinuing VIIBRYD. If intolerable symptoms occur following a dose decrease or upon discontinuation of treatment, consider resuming the previously prescribed dose and decreasing the dose at a more gradual rate.

Advise patients that if they are treated with diuretics, or are otherwise volume depleted, or are elderly, they may be at greater risk of developing hyponatremia while taking VIIBRYD. Although no cases of hyponatremia resulting from VIIBRYD treatment were reported in the clinical studies, hyponatremia has occurred as a result of treatment with SSRIs and SNRIs. Discontinuation of VIIBRYD in patients with symptomatic hyponatremia and appropriate medical intervention should be instituted.

The most commonly observed adverse reactions in MDD patients treated with VIIBRYD in placebo-controlled studies (incidence =5% and at least twice the rate of placebo) were: diarrhea (28% vs 9%), nausea (23% vs 5%), insomnia (6% vs 2%), and vomiting (5% vs 1%).

Please also see full Prescribing Information for VIIBRYD.

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Source:

Forest Laboratories

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'FDA approves treatment for major depressive disorder in adults'

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Drinking coffee linked to lower suicide risk in adults

Featured Article
Academic Journal
Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 28 Jul 2013 - 0:00 PDT Current ratings for:
Drinking coffee linked to lower suicide risk in adults

Drinking coffee is linked to lower suicide rates, suggests a study published in The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry.

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) reviewed data from three large US studies. This consisted of 43,599 men involved in the Health Professionals Follow-up study (HPFS), 73,820 women in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and 91,005 women in the NHS II.

The researchers analyzed data regarding consumption of caffeine, coffee and decaffeinated coffee every 4 years through food-frequency questionnaires, while the deaths from suicide were analyzed by physician review of death certificates.

The amount of caffeine consumption was assessed from both coffee and non-coffee sources, including chocolate, tea and caffeinated soft drinks. But the researchers add that coffee was the main source, accounting for a minimum of 71% in all three studies.

Over the study period, 277 deaths were a result of suicide.

Results revealed that the risk of suicide for adults who drank between 2-4 cups of coffee each day was 50% lower when compared with adults who drank decaffeinated coffee, very little or no coffee.

The researchers reported that there were no major differences in the risk of suicide between those who consumed 2-3 cups of coffee per day and those who drank 4 or more cups per day, but they note that this may be due to a smaller number of suicides in these categories.

Researchers on this study say that the risk of suicide was 50% lower in adults who drank 2-4 cups of coffee each day. However, a previous study suggested heightened depression in adults who drank 4 or more cups of coffee per day.

However, the study notes that a previous study from HSPH analyzing how coffee was related to depression revealed that researchers saw a heightened depression effect in those who drank 4 or more cups per day.

The researchers report that as well as stimulating the central nervous system, caffeine acts as a mild anti-depressant by boosting the production of particular neurotransmitters in the brain. These include noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin. They add that this could explain the results of studies in the past that have linked the consumption of coffee to a lower risk of depression.

Regardless of the study's results, the authors say this does not mean the consumption of coffee should be increased.

The recommended coffee intake for the average healthy adult is around 2-4 cups per day. Experts advise that too much caffeine can have unpleasant side effects, such as insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, muscle tremors and a fast heartbeat.

Written by Honor Whiteman

Copyright: Medical News Today
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posted by Mental Wanderer on 27 Jul 2013 at 9:16 am

This is one of the silliest correlation fallacies I've ever heard about. Yes, it is a very large sample size, but, in fact, its not nearly large enough compared to the global population of coffee drinkers. It reminds me of the famous correlation fallacy about Hormone Replacement Therapy. A huge survey study concluded that women who receive it have a reduced chance of developing heart disease. Then, when clinical trials were done, it became obvious that the therapy actually INCREASED the chances of developing heart disease. I suspect that this "coffee survey" is totally contrived and driven by those who hope to manipulate favorable consumer attitudes. This has been a time-honored marketing tactic used by Big Pharma for many years -- it about time Big Agra got in on the game.

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posted by Marietta Alexander on 27 Jul 2013 at 8:14 am

Wow! I am 65 years old; never starting drinking coffee.
The study is NOT going to make me run to Starbucks! Pray instead!

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posted by Junior A Yigzaw on 27 Jul 2013 at 7:01 am

I drink coffee to much for the last 20 years and right now my blood pressure is going up like a speed of light. Anyhow this article really makes me laugh and it looks like it is TRUE.

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posted by Anthony on 27 Jul 2013 at 6:26 am

It worked for me one time. I was going through a divorce and I was very sad one day so I bought a very strong coffee and took a drive.....it gave me a jolt and it helped.

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posted by andy on 27 Jul 2013 at 5:44 am

Of course this does not at all imply that the consumption of cafeine causes a decrease in the no. of suicides.
It just says there is a link (correlation), not that the one causes the other (causation). Important difference. There might well be a link between the color of the eyes and the no. suicides...

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