Psychological Well-Being Influences Mortality

A new study conducted at University College in London and published in the current issue of Psychosomatic Medicine reviewed prospective, observational and cohort studies of the association between positive well-being and mortality using meta-analytic methods. Recent years have witnessed increased interest in the relationship between positive psychological well-being and physical health.

There were 35 studies investigating mortality in initially healthy populations and 35 studies of disease populations. The meta-analyses showed that positive psychological well-being was associated with reduced mortality in both the healthy population and the disease population. Both positive affect (e.g., emotional well-being, positive mood, joy, happiness, vigor, energy) and positive trait-like dispositions (e.g., life satisfaction, hopefulness, optimism, sense of humor) were associated with reduced mortality in healthy population studies. Positive psychological well-being was significantly associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality in healthy population studies, and with reduced death rates in patients with renal failure and with human immunodeficiency virus-infection.

This study is one additional confirmation of the strong connection between mind and body. Psychological well-being must not be overlooked when treating physical illnesses.

Laugh to Reduce Stress

Researchers at California's Loma Linda University recently found that even anticipating laughter lowers the levels of three stress hormones: cortisol, adrenaline and dopac. Anticipating laughter also boosts endorphins and human growth hormone, which is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system. So laughter both elevates hormones that keep us happy and healthy and lowers the stress hormones that contribute to inflammation and chronic illness. So just as the old adage says, "laughter is the best medicine."

Do You Feel Life is Worth Living?

In Japanese, the phrase ikigai translates to "life worth living". In a Japanese study, researchers looked at how a belief that life is worth living affects mortality. 43,391 Japanese adults were asked the question "Do you have ikigai in your life?". Among the subjects who died over the next seven years, a significantly higher number of them expressed that they did not have a sense that life was worth living. These people also had a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and other external causes of mortality.

Personality as a Longevity Predictor

In a study to determine the effects of personality on longevity, the personality traits of 2359 people aged 17-98 were assessed. Over the course of the study 40% of participants passed away. Those who were found to be more extroverted, emotionally stable, or conscientious lived on average 2 to 3 years longer than those who scored below the mean in those areas. These results are independent from the effects of smoking, obesity, or gender differences. Specifically, emotional stability proved to be a strong predictor for deaths from cardiovascular disease.

Supplementing for Mild Depression

For relief from mild depression, Dr. Andrew Weil suggests adding vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant rich supplements to a well-balanced diet. Dr. Weil recommends four specific supplements: B vitamins, St. Johns Wort, SAMe(S-adenosylmethionine), and fish oil. Research has shown that patients with depression have exhibited lower levels of B vitamins, specifically B6. B6 is found in many different foods such as salmon and peanut butter, but can also be found in pill form. St. Johns Wort has also yielded promising results as an alternative treatment for depression. In studies, standardized extracts of St. Johns Wort have proven as effective as Prozac at treating depression, although it should not be combined with birth control, anti-retroviral medications, or antidepressant medications. SAMe had similar results to St. Johns Wort but has been shown to work more quickly. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are helpful in promoting overall positive feelings. 1000-2000 mg per day of fish oil can be useful in treating mild forms of depression according to Dr. Weil.

Depression associated with decreased Vitamin D levels in older adults

In a large population-based cohort study from Amsterdam involving 1282 older adults between the ages of 65 and 95, vitamin D status was found to be compromised in patients with minor or major depressive disorders. Additional research is needed to assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression incidence in this population.

Potential new role for red grape seeds in treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine have discovered that polyphenolics derived from red grape seeds may be useful agents to prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease. They tested the hypothesis that certain molecules contained in red wine, in particular in red grape seeds, might offset disease progression in mice. They are currently investigating nearly 5000 compounds found in red wine.