This week at Mental Health Notes, I recommended checking out John La Puma and the book he wrote with Rebecca Powell Marx, Chef MD’s Big Book of Culinary Medicine, as well as I Dose, which claims to be “the perfect Binaural Beats experience.” I also introduced you to Frank Calloway and the Cover America Tour, and then asked you what you thought about Barack Obama’s stance on mental health parity and to share good stories about mental health.

In the world of mental health news, UC Irvine researchers may be quickening the pace to finding more effective medications to treat panic disorders now that they’ve found out how to “switch off” the traumatic feelings bad memories can bring about, and Oregon Health & Science University researchers may have a drug that could help people addicted to alcohol quit drinking. An international group of researchers have found that the proteins that modify DNA are more expressed in people who commit suicide and may help identify underlying causes of depression, while another group of researchers supported by the National Institute of Mental Health may have discovered why some mothers develop postpartum depression and others don’t.

Regarding mental health advocacy, Dr. Waqas. A. Awan would like to pass along news of the new Web site MyFamilyHealth.com, which “allows people to connect with their relatives and track family health history.” The DBSA’s 2008 National Conference: The Power of Peers is drawing closer (September 10-14), and you can still take advantage of Advance Rates if you register before August 3.

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, we’re as busy as ever! Mental Health Notes was featured at Best Health Mag yesterday, and a whole slue of us is in the Health & Wellness Channel are in included in eDrugsearch.com’s “The World’s Top Blogs On Health and Medicine.” Liz at Alzheimer’s Notes shares an informative video about the “creation of Leeza’s Place, an oasis for caregivers and loved ones dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease,” and Angelique at Breaking the Mirror issues a call for advice for a man suffering from postpartum depression and an eating disorder. Susan at Grounded Fitness explains why yoga can help make you happy, and Grace at Kids Health Notes offers a nice round up of blog contests and giveaways, while Karen at Pink Ribbon Review talks about the benefits and downfalls of emotional writing.

Oh, and Kristen at Lively Women has one of the worst. bruises. ever.

If you have something you’d like featured in next week’s Saturday Sanity, shoot me an email with “Saturday Sanity” (or similar) in the subject line and we’ll take it from there!

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Tons Of New Mental Health Research

I initially entered the giveaway thinking that if I won I’d give my copy of the book to a certain family member who’s trying desperately to eat better for both health and weight loss reasons. I figured she could really use the book because it probably wouldn’t have too many recipes to offer me, a vegetarian.

I was wrong. The book has quite a few things to offer me (some of those things are even related to vegetables!) and may have some good information for many of you, too.

For example, Chapter 7, “What Do You Eat For That?” La Puma offers “Culinary Medicine” (foods to eat more of and foods to avoid) for a variety of mental health conditions.

• I found out that a French study noted that drinking three or four five-ounce glasses of red wine each day could decrease the risk of dementia, while avoiding foods high in saturated and trans fats can cut the Alzheimer’s risk by almost half.
• I learned that because a high percentage of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have low levels of iron, it’s beneficial for them to eat foods rich in iron and to avoid food preservatives and foods with artificial coloring and additives.
• I read that dark chocolate has been known to elevate the moods and decrease the feelings of loneliness in people with depression, and that (much to my horror), caffeine may actually contribute to depression.
• I discovered that, in addition to tryptophan (you know, the mystery behind why turkey makes everyone sleepy), people who suffer from insomnia can eat carbohydrates with high glycemic indexes a few hours before hitting the sack in order to fall asleep faster, and avoid, naturally, tea, coffee, and spicy foods.

Interesting stuff, huh? Though it’s important to note that while red wine might be a good thing for folks trying to avoid dementia, alcohol is generally a bad thing for folks who have depression (or a variety of other mental illnesses).

To learn more about John La Puma, M.D. and his book, find free recipes and shopping lists, and even watch him on Lifetime’s Sunday morning show, Health Corner, visit ChefMD.

Image: Amazon

Post from: Blisstree

Which Foods Are Good (And Bad!) For Your Mental Health?