According to a study recently published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association, phone calls from nurses significantly improved depressive symptoms of individuals recovering from coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Amazingly, the phone calls from nurses seemed to provide as much of an anti depressive boost as traditional psychotherapy and medication, the researchers found. According to the findings, individuals recovering from the CABG procedure who received a phone call from a nurse experienced significant improvement over those that had received the usual care. The researchers strongly believe that the study has widely applicable uses for individuals in rural communities and those who have physical disabilities inhibiting face to face contact with health care providers. According to the researchers, “Our findings and mode of intervention delivery thus have major public health implications for medically frail individuals, those living in rural settings, and other individuals with physical challenges impeding face-to-face depression treatment.” Click here to read an article from Medpage Today that discusses these findings more.

In the world of dieting, not necessarily the world of proper nutrition, there has been much to do about low-carb and no carb dieting. The traditional approach of lowering one’s calories and fat intake has often been set aside in the minds of individuals who have looked to the low-carb solution. However, findings from a study published in the November 9th issue of Archives of Internal Medicine suggest that cutting back on fat in one’s diet, not carbs, may actually make dieting more tolerable, preventing nasty mood swings. According to the study, during a one year period of observation, individuals adhering to a low fat diet verses a low carb diet had lower instance of hostility, depression, confusion and overall “bad mood.”  According to the researchers, “some aspects of the low-carbohydrate diet may have had detrimental effects on mood that, over the term of one year, negated any positive effects of weight loss.” Click here to read an article from OregonLive.com that discusses these findings more.

Companies that manufacture alcohol caffeine mixed drinks are being asked by FDA officials, “who told you that this is legal?” Caffeine, while it is widely used and commonly accepted as a safe substance, is not one of the FDA approved substances for mixture with alcohol. The FDA’s attention began to shift towards the makers of these drinks after receiving letters signed by 18 state attorneys general and one city attorney, which asked the FDA to act based on studies that have shown an increase in motor vehicle accidents and sexual assaults related to the drinks. John Gever, Senior Editor for Medpage Today said, “Under pressure from state authorities, two big marketers of alcoholic beverages, MillerCoors and Anheuser-Busch, had previously agreed to pull combination drinks named Bud Extra, Tilt, and Sparks off the market. However, smaller companies are still selling drinks with as much caffeine as a cup of coffee and up to 9.9% alcohol under such names as LiquidCharge, Joose, and Four Loko.” Click here to read Gever’s take on this.

According to a study published in the November 2nd issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, both one’s environment and genetic predisposition are determinate factors in assessing the risk of PTSD. According to the study, individuals with the gene variant 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) who experienced childhood or adult trauma, or both, were at greater risk for PTSD. 29% of individuals possessing the gene variant who experienced both childhood and adult trauma had been diagnosed with PTSD at some point during life. Another 10% who had the gene variant and experienced one lifetime period of trauma were diagnosed with PTSD. According to Joel Gelernter, MD, of Yale University School of Medicine, and colleagues, “…although the 5-HTTLPR genotype alone did not predict the onset of PTSD, it interacted with adult traumatic events and childhood adversity to increase the risk for PTSD, especially for those with high rates of both types of trauma exposure.” Click here to read an article from Science Daily that discusses the study more.