Low iron linked to pregnancy depression
Evidence suggests low iron levels are linked to depression in the general population, but there are no pregnancy studies. Here, doctors reviewed the medical records of 142 women, aged 18 to 25, and beyond 20 weeks pregnant when tested for ferritin, a biomarker for iron stores.
Women deficient in iron had depression scores 29 percent higher than those with good iron levels, and these women were two-and-a-half times more likely to develop depression while pregnant. Doctors also compared other health factors including family history, lifestyle, physical activity, and socioeconomic status, and found that iron levels remained an independent factor in developing depression while pregnant.
Cinnamon improved PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and reproductive condition that includes irregular periods and ovulation, a higher level of male— androgenic—hormones, unbalanced lipid profiles, and high blood pressure.
In this study, 84 overweight or obese women with PCOS, aged 20 to 38, took a placebo or three 500 mg capsules of cinnamon per day. After eight weeks, those taking cinnamon saw triglyceride levels decrease to 96.1 from 117.74 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) compared to 124.62 from 131.76 for placebo.
Levels of LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, also significantly decreased for cinnamon while not changing for placebo. HDL, the “good” cholesterol, increased for cinnamon while decreasing for placebo. Total antioxidant capacity improved by 9 percent for cinnamon, and a biomarker for oxidative stress decreased 8 percent.
Reference: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Canada; 2017, S1701-2163, Published Online
Natural Insights for Well Being May 2018
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