From eNewsletter 4/22/2019
DID YOU KNOW that scientists have discovered why cannabis/marijuana causes increased appetite?
According to a study in the upcoming issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers discovered that oral delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) increased "liking" and "wanting" ratings of high-calorie food images, compared with oral cannabis without THC. Subjects also consumed consumed significantly more milkshake after oral THC than after placebo.
THC increased the appetite hormone motilin, decreased the appetite-blocking hormone ghrelin, and decreased glucagon, a hormone that balances insulin response.
As scientists suspected, the chemical that makes cannabis desirable, THC, is also responsible for giving us "the munchies". With the legalization of cannabis in many states, users have to be vigilant about not consuming excess calories.
B-DEFICIENCY UPS TEEN MENTAL ILLNESS
Steve and Bonnie: Levels of vitamin B9 (folate) and B12 deficiency are high in children and particularly adolescents with psychiatric disorders, according to new research presented at the European Psychiatric Association (EPA) 2019 Congress.
When evaluating 780 young people with psychiatric disorders who were treated during a 3-year period, they found that 40% were deficient in folate, and approximately 20% were deficient in vitamin B12. More than 10% were deficient in both vitamins. Although there were generally no differences in vitamin deficiency between patients with and those without psychotic symptoms, patients with depressive symptoms were more likely than others to be deficient in vitamin B12. Folate and B12 are involved in methyl, glutathione, and myelination pathways and that they have been shown to be involved in neuroplasticity and the preservation of neuronal integrity. Deficiencies in these two vitamins lead to hyperhomocysteinemia, which has been linked to neurovascular and neurodegenerative disorders and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and affective disorders, as well as cognitive impairment. While these findings don't surprise us, it does not address the problem of properly utilizing these two B-vitamins. Through our Pure Genomics reports, we have found how vital it is to be able to understand the mutations of genes associated with absorbing folate and B12, among others. Without individualized genetic screening of parents prior to conception, and then testing their offspring, there will be many individuals more susceptible to mental illness because they are not able to properly utilize B-vitamins.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN WOMEN: PART TWO
Steve: Substance abuse usually is accompanied by comorbidity, which is the simultaneous presence of two chronic diseases or conditions..this article is reserved for NCI Well Connect Members. You can get this article by signing up here. You can get our free eNewsletter by signing up at the top of our website.
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