Mood changes are common after giving birth, but sometimes mood changes can progress to postpartum depression and anxiety. A recent study suggests that consuming the probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 during and after pregnancy may reduce symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety in mothers.

Participants in the study included 423 pregnant women who were given either 6 billion colony-forming units of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 or a placebo daily. They followed their intervention from recruitment at 14 to 16 weeks into the pregnancy through six months after the baby was born.

At six and 12 months after the baby was born, all of the women completed a questionnaire regarding their psychological wellbeing when the baby was one to two months old. The researchers used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the State Strait Anxiety Inventory 6 item version to measure depression and anxiety, respectively.

After examining the data, the researchers found the women who took the probiotic supplement reported significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression than those who took the placebo.

Researchers from the University of Auckland and the University of Otago conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on September 15, 2017, in EBioMedicine.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 is a probiotic that is thought to have the most health benefits of any probiotic. Previous studies suggest it may help reduce diarrhea, improve immunity, and aid urinary tract health.

Autism spectrum disorder affects people’s social interactions, ability to communicate, and their behavior. Some research has found evidende that it develops in the womb. A recent study suggests that taking multivitamins during early pregnancy may be associated with a lower risk of autism spectrum disorder.

Participants in the study included 273,107 mother-child pairs. The children were between the ages of 4 and 15 by December 31, 2011, and were born between 1996 and 2007. All of the mothers reported their use of folic acid, iron supplements, and multivitamins in their first visit after birth. The researchers used national registers to determine cases of autism spectrum disorder.

After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the researchers found that multivitamin use, both with and without additional iron or folic acid, was associated with a lower risk of autism spectrum disorder with intellectual disability. There was no consistent evidence that either iron or folic acid use was associated with a lower risk of autism spectrum disorder. The researchers cautioned, however, that there was not enough evidence to support recommendations for changes in behavior.

Researchers from Drexel University led the study. It was published on October 4, 2017, in BMJ.

Previous studies have shown that multivitamins and minerals may aid in weight loss, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and improve general physical health. Other studies have also shown that the cells of people who routinely take multivitamins have a younger biological age.

If you’ve been skipping putting dressing on your salad to lose weight, you may be losing out on some nutrients, too. A recent study suggests that soybean oil found in salad dressings may help with the absorption of seven micronutrients.

Participants in the study included 12 college-aged women who consumed five vegetable salads with salad dressings containing 0, 2, 4, 8, or 32 g of soybean oil. The researchers collected blood at selected time points.

The researchers found that maximum nutrient absorption of alpha and beta carotene, lutein and lycopene, two forms of vitamin E, and vitamin K occurred with 32 g of oil, or approximately two tablespoons. They also found that the amount of oil added was proportional to the amount of nutrients absorbed, suggesting that more salad dressing may be result in more nutrient absorption.

Researchers from Iowa State University led the study. It was published in the October 2017 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Micronutrients are essential for good health and are vital to the proper functioning of all the body’s systems. Micronutrient deficiency can lead to a variety of health problems, such as anemia, susceptibility to disease, stunted growth and cognitive impairment. Food sources of micronutrients include dairy, dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, eggs, and almonds.

Women are more prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) than men, in part because their urethra is shorter. A recent study suggests that drinking three more glasses of water per day may help reduce the risk of urinary tract infection in women who are prone to them.

Participants in the study included 140 healthy, premenopausal women who had at least three UTIs the previous year and did not consume very many fluids. Over the course of one year, half of the women were told to drink 1.5 liters of water (approximately three 16-ounce glasses) more than their usual fluid intake per day, while the other half followed their usual daily fluid intake and acted as a control.

At the conclusion of the year, the control group had an average 3.1 UTIs, while the increased water group had an average 1.6 UTIs, a 48% reduction. As a result, the water group had an average 1.8 antibiotic sessions (a 47% reduction), compared with 3.5 antibiotic sessions in the control group.

The researchers noted that drinking more fluids increases the rate of flushing of bacteria from the bladder, and probably reduces the concentration of bacteria that enter the bladder from the vagina. This reduces the attachment of bacteria to cells in the urinary tract, which can lead to infection.

Researchers from the University of Miami School of Medicine conducted the study. It was presented at IDWeek 2017 the week of October 4, 2017.

The human body is composed of 60% water. This makes it important to consume enough water every day to replace water lost from sweat, breathing, urine, and stool. Increasing water intake has been associated lower calorie consumption, less muscle fatigue, better looking skin, healthier kidneys, and improved bowel function.

Having a heavier and bigger heart increases the risk of heart problems, including heart attacks. A recent study has found a link between being overweight and obese and an overall increased heart weight.

Participants in the study included 4,561people whose data was in the UK Biobank database. The researchers examined cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to study the structure and function of the hearts of all of the participants.

After adjusting for risk factors that can’t be modified, the researchers were able to see and measure the direct impact of blood pressure, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), exercise, cholesterol, alcohol intake, and diabetes on the heart. BMI was found to be the modifiable risk factor most consistently associated with higher heart mass. Systolic blood pressure was found to the be second modifiable risk factor most associated with higher heart mass.

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London led the study. It was published on October 3, 2017, in PLOS ONE.

Obesity has far ranging negative effect on health. Each year, obesity causes approximately 300,000 premature deaths in the United States. The negative health effects associated with obesity include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, metabolic syndrome and sleep apnea.

Improving eating habits and increasing physical activity play a vital role in preventing obesity. It is recommended that we eat five to six servings of fruits and vegetables per day. It also recommended that we get at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity every day.

As nuts have a high fat content, many people believe you should not eat them if you are trying to lose weight. A recent study contradicts that assumption, suggesting that people who include nuts in their diet may be more likely to have less weight gain and a lower risk of being overweight or obese.

Participants in the study included 373,293 Europeans between the ages of 25 and 70. Body weight was measured at the beginning of the study and self reported at the end of the study. The researchers examined diet and lifestyle data of the participants, and estimated the association between nut intake and body weight change using multilevel mixed linear regression models. Intake of peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and walnuts was looked at in the study.

The researchers found that over the course of the five-year study, participants gained a mean average of 4.6 pounds. However, the participants who ate the most nuts had less weight gain (1.8 pounds) than those who did not eat any nuts. They also had a 5% lower risk of becoming overweight or obese.

Researchers from the Center for Nutrition, Lifestyle and Disease Prevention at Loma Linda University School of Public Health led the study. It was published online ahead of print on July 21, 2017, in the European Journal of Nutrition.

Nuts are a rich source of magnesium, vitamin E, protein and beneficial phytochemicals. Numerous studies have associated phytochemicals with antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

In the United States, nuts are typically consumed in the form of snack food. If you want to add more nuts to your diet, you can try replacing unhealthy snacks such as chips and candy bars with raw, unsalted nuts.

Bone mineral density tends to decrease in women after menopause, putting them at a higher risk of osteoarthritis and fractures. A recent study suggests that doing 30 minutes twice per week of high intensity resistance and impact training may help improve functional performance, bone density structure, and strength in postmenopausal women with low bone mass.

Participants in the study included 101 women between the ages of 60 and 70 with low bone mass. Over the course of eight months, they participated in either twice-weekly 30 minute supervised high-intensity resistance and impact training or a home-based, low intensity exercise program. The researchers measured lumbar spine and proximal femur bone mineral density (BMD) and measures of functional performance at the beginning and end of the study period.

At the conclusion of the study, the high intensity group had increased functional performance, bone density structure, and strength. The researchers noted there were no adverse effects and there was high compliance with the study.

Researchers from Griffith University in Australia led the study. It was published online ahead of print on October 4, 2017, in the Journal of Bone Mineral Research.

High-intensity training is a type of exercise that involves rotations of strenuous exercise with less strenuous exercise. Studies suggest that it is an effective way to both lose weight and build muscle.

Depression is an increasingly common psychological problem in the West, with an estimated 6.9% of Americans facing at least one depressive episode every year. A recent study suggests that one hour of exercise per week may help combat the onset of depression.

Participants in the study included 33,908 Norwegians whose exercise levels and depression were monitored for more than 11 years, between January and June 1997. The participants reported their frequency of exercise at the beginning of the study, as well as the intensity. The intensity was broken down into three categories: exercise without getting breathless or sweaty, exercise that led to becoming breathless and sweaty, and exercise to exhaustion. Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire at a later follow-up in order to assess any anxiety or depression.

After adjusting for socio-economic and demographic factors, the researchers found that people who did no exercise at baseline had a 44% greater chance of developing depression than those who were exercising one to two hours weekly. There was no association noted between level of intensity and depression. However, the benefits from exercise did not extend to anxiety.

Researchers from King’s College London led the study. It was published online ahead of print on October 3, 2017, in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health. Previous clinical studies suggest that even moderate exercise may help with blood sugar control, reduce body weight, improve heart health, improve respiratory health and reduce the risk of dying prematurely.

Skipping breakfast is considered a frequent and unhealthy habit that is associated with higher cardiovascular risk. Now a new study has found that skipping breakfast may contribute to hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to plaque, also called atherosclerosis.

Participants in the study included 4,052 people who did not have cardiovascular disease or chronic kidney disease. All of the participants completed a computerized questionnaire in order to determine their usual diet. Breakfast patterns were determined based on the percentage of total daily calorie intake in the morning.

The researchers placed the participants into three categories: those who skipped breakfast and only had coffee, juice, or another non-alcoholic beverage (2.9%); those who consumed more than 20% of their total calorie intake in the morning (69.4%); and those who consumed between 5% and 20% of their total calorie intake in the morning (27.7%).

After examining the data, the researchers determined that participants who skipped breakfast were more likely to have an overall unhealthy lifestyle, including poor diet, frequent alcohol consumption, and smoking. They were also more likely to have high blood pressure and be overweight or obese. Atherosclerosis was observed most frequently among participants who skipped breakfast, and was also higher in participants who consumed low-energy breakfasts.

The researchers pointed out that sometimes people who are obese or overweight skip breakfast in an attempt to lose weight. However, those same people often end up eating more, and unhealthier, foods later in the day, negating the effects of skipping breakfast.

Researchers from Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III in Spain conducted the study. It was published on October 10, 2017, in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Previous studies have found that eating breakfast may curb hunger throughout the rest of the day. Some studies have also found that it contributes to weight loss, although the results regarding weight loss are still inconclusive.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a condition where the major pumping chamber of the heart becomes enlarged, wall thickness increases and the amount of blood pumped out decreases. A recent study suggests that low intake of vitamin K1 may be associated with a higher risk of enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart in teenagers.

Participants in the study included 766 teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18. They were separated into three groups based on vitamin K1 intake. The researchers used dietary recall to determine vitamin K1 intake. They also used echocardiography to measure left ventricular structure and function. Only 25% of the participants had adequate intake levels, which were more than 75 micrograms per day.

After adjusting for potentially confounding factors, the researchers determined that the teenagers in the lowest consumption group (less than 42 micrograms per day of vitamin K2) had a 3.3 higher risk of LVH than those consuming the most (more than 90 micrograms per day).

They also found significantly lower left ventricular mass index and wall thickness in the group with the highest vitamin K1 intake. Additionally, two measures of left ventricular function were significantly poorer in the lowest intake group.

Researchers from the Medical College of Georgia conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on August 9, 2017, in The Journal of Nutrition.

Previous studies suggest that vitamin K1 may help with bone and heart health. It can be found in leafy green vegetables, such as kale, collards, mustard greens, and spinach. It can also be take in supplement form.