Lack of physical activity and low concentration of fish oil in the blood may increase the levels of depressed mood among soldiers, according to researchers including a Texas A&M University professor and his former doctoral student.
In a study titled "Fatty Acid Blood Levels, Vitamin D Status, Physical Performance, Activity and Resiliency: A Novel Potential Screening Tool for Depressed Mood in Active Duty Soldiers," researchers worked with 100 soldiers at Fort Hood to identify which factors affected moods in returning soldiers.
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‘The decrease in physical activity and the concentration of fish oil and Omega-3s in the blood were all associated with resiliency and mood.’
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The research was conducted by Major Nicholas Barringer when he was a Texas A&M doctoral student under the direction of Health & Kinesiology Professor and Department Head Richard Kreider, in collaboration with several current and former members of the U.S. Army, and colleagues at Texas A&M.
"We looked at how physical activity levels and performance measures were related to mood state and resiliency," Kreider says. "What we found was the decrease in physical activity and the concentration of fish oil and Omega-3s in the blood were all associated with resiliency and mood."
![Patients With Mild Alzheimer]( "Patients With Mild Alzheimer")
Experts discovered that omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements did not seem to slow cognitive, functional decline in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Kreider says fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids that help to boost brain function. He says studies also show that fish oil acts as an anti-inflammatory within the body — helping athletes and soldiers manage intense training better. Fish oil content is especially important for soldiers due to the consistent training and physical regiments performed in and out of combat and risk to traumatic brain injury.
The study originated from research conducted by Colonel Mike Lewis, M.D. who examined Omega-3 fatty acid levels of soldiers who committed suicide compared to non-suicide control and found lower Omega-3 levels in the blood were associated with increased risk of being in the suicide group.
Barringer says he believes these findings to be significant toward addressing some of the issues many soldiers face.
"The mental health of our service members is a serious concern, and it is exciting to consider that appropriate diet and exercise might have a direct impact on improving resiliency," Barringer notes.
In order to properly measure soldiers physically, Kreider and Barringer developed a formula they say has the potential to assist in effectively screening soldiers with potential PTSD ahead of time. The formula measures a number of factors including: fitness and psychometric assessments, physical activity, and additional analysis.
"By improving resiliency in service members, we can potentially decrease the risk of mental health issues," Barringer says. "Early identification can potentially decrease the risk of negative outcomes for our active service members as well as our separated and retired military veterans."
"The military is using some of our exercise, nutrition, and performance-related work and the findings may help identify soldiers at risk for depression when they return from combat tours," Kreider notes. He says that by working to identify such high-risk issues faced by soldiers, it can set a precedent that will benefit not only military leadership, but also the general public.
"The public must realize that our soldiers need support before, during, and after their service," Kreider explains. "There needs to be a time for soldiers to transition, become re-engaged within a community, and stay engaged in that community."
Source: Newswise
Patients With Mild Alzheimer's May Not Benefit From DHA Fish Oil Supplements
Experts discovered that omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements did not seem to slow cognitive, functional decline in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
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Kreider says fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids that help to boost brain function. He says studies also show that fish oil acts as an anti-inflammatory within the body — helping athletes and soldiers manage intense training better. Fish oil content is especially important for soldiers due to the consistent training and physical regiments performed in and out of combat and risk to traumatic brain injury.
The study originated from research conducted by Colonel Mike Lewis, M.D. who examined Omega-3 fatty acid levels of soldiers who committed suicide compared to non-suicide control and found lower Omega-3 levels in the blood were associated with increased risk of being in the suicide group.
Barringer says he believes these findings to be significant toward addressing some of the issues many soldiers face.
"The mental health of our service members is a serious concern, and it is exciting to consider that appropriate diet and exercise might have a direct impact on improving resiliency," Barringer notes.
In order to properly measure soldiers physically, Kreider and Barringer developed a formula they say has the potential to assist in effectively screening soldiers with potential PTSD ahead of time. The formula measures a number of factors including: fitness and psychometric assessments, physical activity, and additional analysis.
"By improving resiliency in service members, we can potentially decrease the risk of mental health issues," Barringer says. "Early identification can potentially decrease the risk of negative outcomes for our active service members as well as our separated and retired military veterans."
"The military is using some of our exercise, nutrition, and performance-related work and the findings may help identify soldiers at risk for depression when they return from combat tours," Kreider notes. He says that by working to identify such high-risk issues faced by soldiers, it can set a precedent that will benefit not only military leadership, but also the general public.
"The public must realize that our soldiers need support before, during, and after their service," Kreider explains. "There needs to be a time for soldiers to transition, become re-engaged within a community, and stay engaged in that community."
Source: Newswise
High Consumption of Fish Oil may Benefit Cardiovascular Health: Study
Eating fish in amounts comparable to those of people living in Japan seems to impart a protective factor that wards off heart disease.
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 Fish Oil Helps In Weight Loss By Burning Stored FatFish oil activates receptors in the digestive tract, fires the sympathetic nervous system, and induces storage cells to metabolize fat. | Advertisement
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