When you light up a metal nanoparticle, you get light back. It’s often a different color. That’s a fact — but the why is up for debate.

A large study suggests excessive use may slow a toddler’s development in language and sociability.

Anxiety, depression and panic attacks are sending US college students to mental health clinics in record numbers, a new study finds.

Between 2009 and 2015, treatment and diagnoses of anxiety increased by nearly 6% among these students, followed by depression and panic attacks, which each increased about 3%. Anxiety is the most common problem, affecting almost 15% of college students across the United States, the researchers reported.

“Mental health is a critical issue for college students, and institutions of higher education need to explore prevention and support strategies that best meet the needs of their campus,” said lead researcher Sara Oswalt. She is chair of the department of kinesiology, health and nutrition at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Mental health could affect a student’s success

It’s not clear if the college environment is causing or even contributing to the increase in these problems. But if mental health problems aren’t addressed, success in school is jeopardised, she said.

Oswalt believes more students are seeking help because more of them are suffering from mental health problems, coupled with a willingness to get help. There is less stigma about mental health issues, and schools may be providing more mental health services.

For the study, Oswalt and her colleagues used data from the American College Health Association to collect information on more than 450 000 undergraduates.

The investigators found a significant increase in the diagnosis and treatment for eight of 12 mental problems they examined, with anxiety, depression and panic attacks accounting for the biggest increases.

Students willing to seek help

The researchers also found that students are more willing to use university mental health services.

By 2015, nearly 20% of those surveyed said they used these services, an increase of more than 4% since 2009. Moreover, nearly 75% said they would consider using university mental health services – an increase of nearly 7%.

College students’ need for mental health resources is increasing, Oswalt said, so schools need to do more to safeguard their students’ well-being. They must do it in a way that is effective and use outside services when they cannot handle demand themselves, she suggested.

Because 75% of all serious adult psychiatric illnesses start by age 25, universities have an essential role in addressing mental health issues early, Oswalt explained.

According to Stewart Cooper, director of counseling services at Valparaiso University in Indiana, “Oswalt appropriately advocates for a systems approach to respond to these often debilitating disorders among college students.”

Cooper suggested several approaches, starting with ways to avoid emotional problems in healthy students. These include building resilience along with ways to manage stress and get enough sleep.

In addition, programs are needed that focus on detecting mental health problems early – making it possible to prevent them from getting worse – and to minimise complications and limit disabilities before the problem becomes severe. “Mental health screening days and evidence-based materials and interventions that are technology-based fit here,” he said.

Schools also need to offer therapy to students to reduce the negative effect of an already established mental health problem. These programs can help restore function and reduce complications, Cooper said.

The report was published 24 October 2018 in the Journal of American College Health.

More information

Visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness for more on mental health among college students.

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Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of anaemia and is often treated with iron supplements to correct the shortage of oxygen-carrying haemoglobins in the blood.

When your doctor advises you to start taking iron supplements, it can be a challenge to choose the right one with so many options on the market. Here are some tips to help you choose the best iron supplement for your purposes:

1. Determine which form you prefer

Iron supplements are available in liquid, tablet or capsule form. Depending on your lifestyle and preference, you might want to go for a slow-release supplement. Your doctor will tell you the exact dose you need and might also recommend the exact type of supplement. Some people struggle to swallow non-chewable pills, while others are worried that a liquid may stain their teeth.

2. Determine the exact dose you need

Too much iron can be toxic to the liver and cause serious health problems. The best way to determine your optimal dose is to have your doctor do blood tests. Take your iron supplements as instructed. It is recommended that adult males take 8mg of iron and adult females 18mg per day. A recommended amount of 27mg of iron daily is recommended for pregnant women.

3. Check the level of elemental iron

Iron supplements are sold under the names ferrous sulphate, ferrous fumarate and ferrous gluconate. The amount of iron displayed on the label can be confusing; it is therefore important to determine the level of elemental iron in the supplement. All three forms of iron are well-absorbed by the body, but their elemental iron levels differ. Ferrous fumarate contains the highest amount of elemental iron, but the dose may be too strong for some and therefore ferrous sulphate may be suggested – which is also a more affordable version.

4. Know thy iron

There are two types of dietary iron. Haeme iron is the type of iron that we only find in animal products such as red meat. This type of iron is most easily absorbed by the body. Non-haeme iron is is found in plant products as well as meat, but the absorption of this type may be hindered by substances like caffeine, or plant compounds such as phytates. Fortunately vitamin C can help you absorb non-haeme iron.

5. Only take an iron supplement if needed

If you’re suffering from fatigue and frequent headaches, get a doctor’s opinion before you start shopping for iron supplements. A supplement alone might not be able to treat severe iron deficiency and you may also need to increase your dose of vitamin A to help with iron absorption.

6. Check the possible side-effects

It’s normal to experience some side-effects from iron, such as constipation, dark stools, a strange taste in your mouth or an upset stomach. But if these side-effects are severe and unpleasant, you might want to switch to a different iron formulation such as an iron amino acid or a ferric supplement instead of a ferrous supplement. The difference lies in the oxidation process of the iron.

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Marelize Wilke

Wherever Kathleen Simmonds goes, her service dog, Emma, isn’t far behind. Emma – also known by her Instagram handle, “Type 1 Wonder Dog” – has been trained to sniff out dangerously high and low blood sugar levels and alert Simmonds so she can take action.

Simmonds, 48, has had type 1 diabetes for more than three decades, but she reached a point where she was no longer able to feel dangerous swings in her blood sugar levels.

“I got the dog for the security of my family. Things had gotten so bad that my husband was afraid to travel and my kids were afraid to go to school. They were worried they’d come home and find me passed out,” Simmonds said.

Emma – a border collie – has brought Simmonds and her family peace of mind, as having the dog has significantly improved Simmonds’ blood sugar management.

“She’s like a big security blanket for all of us,” Simmonds said.

Detecting highs and lows

A new British study confirms that dogs can detect dangerous variations in a person’s blood sugar.

The researchers reviewed owner records on 27 dogs that had been trained by the same charity group. During more than 4 000 out-of-range episodes, the dogs were able to pick up an average of 70% of the episodes.

The dogs were slightly better at detecting low blood sugar levels, picking up on 83% of the low blood sugar episodes. For high blood sugar levels, the dogs were correct an average of 67%of the time, the study found.

Study author Nicola Rooney said these dogs “have immense potential to increase the quality of life of their companions, reducing health risk and even saving lives.”

But, she said, there are a number of factors that can affect the dog’s performance, such as the dog’s individual temperament, its training and its relationship with its human partner.

“Just as we’ve seen in pet dogs, those dogs whose owners who consistently and positively reward their dog tend to have dogs that do the best,” said Rooney, who is a teaching fellow in animal welfare and behavior at the Bristol Veterinary School in England. The study was published recently in the journal PLOS One.

Effectiveness varies

Not everyone is convinced that diabetic alert dogs are consistently effective, particularly when measured against the latest technology: continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). These devices measure blood sugar levels every five minutes or so, and most will sound an alarm when a person has blood sugar levels that are too high or too low.

Linda Gonder-Frederick, from the Behavioral Medicine Center at the University of Virginia, has also done research trials with diabetic alert dogs. “There have been a number of studies and there are a lot of mixed results,” she said.

Her conclusion? “The jury is still out, but a diabetic alert dog is definitely the most user-friendly glucose monitor we have. It’s much more user-friendly than finger sticks and CGMs. But we expect these dogs to work 24/7, and that’s a lot of ask of a little creature.”

“Dogs have incredible olfactory ability, and I believe they can do this, but we’re lacking hard scientific data,” Gonder-Frederick said.

If you’re thinking about getting an alert dog, there are a number of things to consider. One is how comfortable are you with getting a lot of attention?

“When you have a dog with you 24/7, you have to get used to people coming up to you,” and folks have mixed reactions, Simmonds said.

Another is whether you are willing to put in the time to train the dog, and then consistently reinforce and reward the dog for alerting you?

Not every dog is a service dog

Claire Guest from Medical Detection Dogs, the UK charity Rooney used in the study, said people who “show a high willingness to reward their dog when it correctly alerts them to their blood sugars tended to have especially well-performing dogs.”

Jennifer Cattet, the owner of Medical Mutts in Indianapolis and Emma’s trainer, said there’s no specific breed that’s best-suited to being a diabetic alert dog.

“It really comes down to the dog’s temperament. You need a dog that’s naturally social, confident and very food-motivated. You also need a ‘Velcro dog’ – a dog that tends to stay close to a person naturally,” she explained.

Cattet selects and trains dogs from young ages, but she also trains family pets. However, she said people need to be aware that this doesn’t always work out.

“Most service dog organisations have about a 50% failure rate because dogs are living creatures, and there’s a lot of work that goes into being a service dog. Just alerting to blood sugars naturally doesn’t make a dog a service dog,” Cattet said.

Diabetic alert dogs don’t come cheaply, either. Simmonds said Emma cost $14 000 (more than R190 000) and that price was one of the lower ones Simmonds found in her search. The dogs in Rooney’s study cost around $38 000 (more than R515 000) to raise and train, but Medical Detection Dogs is a charity and the dogs are given to people with diabetes for free.

Simmonds and Cattet both said it’s vital to investigate any organisation that offers these trained dogs. Because there is a lot of money involved, there’s also a potential to be scammed. Simmonds recommended doing a lot of internet searching, as well as checking with the Better Business Bureau.

Gonder-Frederick pointed out that there are currently no regulations or standards for training and performance when it comes to diabetic alert dogs.

Still, all the work has been worth it for Simmonds. “Emma lets me live a more normal life. I don’t have to spend my days worrying about my blood sugar anymore,” she said.

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NHS England plans to recruit 1,000 “social prescribers” to refer patients to local activities.

Fighter, warrior, hero – these are among the cliches unpopular with some cancer patients, a survey finds.

It comes after the father of 14-year-old Molly Russell blamed Instagram recommendations for her death.

Unless you’re a die-hard nutrition buff or an expert in biochemistry, you likely only associate zinc with those old-school sticks of sunscreen your mom made you use at the beach. But zinc is also an essential mineral key to a healthy diet.

Zinc is necessary for immune function, it helps your blood clot when you’re injured, and it helps regulate your blood sugar, says Amy Gorin, owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in the New York City area.

Zinc is indeed crucial to your health, but you only need small quantities. “Women 19 years old and older need 8mg of zinc daily, a pregnant woman needs 11mg, and a breastfeeding woman needs 12mg,” says Gorin.

While it’s easier for your body to absorb zinc from animal sources like meat, eggs, and seafood, there are plenty of zinc-rich, plant-based foods as well. Read on for the best zinc-rich foods for any diet.

1. Oysters

Per gram, oysters have the highest zinc concentration of any food. Three ounces of raw oysters contain 32mg of zinc, more than three times your recommended daily intake.

Per 85g serving: 50 calories, 1g fat (0g saturated), 4.5g carbs, 0g sugar, 151mg sodium, 0g fibre, 4g protein

Read more: 10 best fitness foods for women

2. Lean sirloin steak

Love digging into a tender cut of meat on occasion? Opt for lean sirloin with most of the fat trimmed, and you’ll get five mg of zinc per four-ounce (113g) serving.

Per 113-gram serving: 144 calories, 4g fat (1.5 g saturated), 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 63mg sodium, 0g fibre, 25g protein

3. Lamb

Swap beef for lamb to switch things up during stew season. A 113g serving of lamb contains just under four mg of zinc, almost half of what the average woman needs in a day.

Per 113g serving (fat trimmed): 168 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated), 1g carbs, 0g sugar, 121mg sodium, 0g fibre, 21g protein

4. Hemp seeds

Looking for plant-based sources of zinc? Hemp seeds are your best bet. Try sprinkling these seeds on your yogurt or salad to mix things up. They’re loaded with healthy fats, and a three-tablespoon serving contains 3mg of zinc.

Per tablespoon serving: 166 calories, 14.5g fat (1.5g saturated), 2.5g carbs, 0.5g sugar, 2mg sodium, 1g fibre, 9.5g protein

5. Chickpeas

Beans and legumes are another great plant-based option if you want to up your zinc intake without meat. A cup of cooked chickpeas is high in fibre and protein, and contains 2.5mg of zinc.

Per 1-cup serving: 269 calories, 4g fat (0.5g saturated), 45g carbs, 8g sugar, 11mg sodium, 12.5g fibre, 14.5g protein

Read more: 13 foods with more protein than an egg

6. Black beans

Another excellent plant source of zinc is black beans. Toss a cup of cooked black beans on top of a salad and you’ll get 2mg of zinc.

Per 1-cup serving: 227 calories, 1g fat (0g saturated), 41g carbs, 0.5g sugar, 2mg sodium, 15g fibre, 15g protein

7. Greek yoghurt

Greek yoghurt has so many stellar health benefits, and here’s another one to add to the list: a 200g container of plain, low fat Greek yogurt packs 1.5mg of zinc, nearly a quarter of your daily need.

Per 200g serving: 146 calories, 4g fat (2.5g saturated), 8g carbs, 7g sugar, 68mg sodium, 0g fibre, 20g protein

8. Cashews

Cashews are one of the most affordable nuts –and, in my totally biased opinion, the most delicious – so there’s no reason not to keep a container in your pantry. You can eat them roasted or raw, since minerals aren’t affected by heat, and get just over 1.5mg of zinc per ounce.

Per 28g serving: 157 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated), 8.5g carbs, 1.5g sugar, 3mg sodium, 1g fibre, 5g protein

9. Cheddar cheese

28g of sharp cheddar has 1mg of zinc, which is decent if you want a little extra boost. Melt it on top of a burger made with lean ground beef, and you have a meal that meets more than half your zinc needs for the day.

Per 28g serving: 115 calories, 9.5g fat (5g saturated), 0.5g carbs, 0g sugar, 180mg sodium, 0g fibre, 6.5g protein

^{This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com}

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Parents often worry that violent movies can trigger violence in their kids, but a new study suggests PG-13-rated movies won’t turn your kids into criminals.

Researchers found that as PG-13 movies became more violent between 1985 and 2015, overall rates of murder and violence actually fell.

A very simplistic model

“It doesn’t appear that PG-13-rated movies are having any impact on viewers,” said lead researcher Christopher Ferguson. He’s a professor of psychology at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.

Kids may re-enact things they see in films during play, Ferguson said, but their playful re-enactments don’t turn into real-life violence, like bullying or assaults.

But the report came under fire from Dan Romer, director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Adolescent Communication Institute. He said the data studied can’t be used to draw conclusions about movies’ effects on violence.

“The authors have a very simplistic model of how the mass media work, and they have an agenda that attempts to show that violent media are salutary rather than harmful,” Romer said. “What is needed is dispassionate analysis rather than cherry-picking of convenient data.”

Previous studies have suggested parents may become desensitised to violence in PG-13 movies, making it more likely they will let children see them – especially when gun violence is portrayed as justified.

But researcher Ferguson said media are simply an easy target for people who want to claim the moral high ground. Blaming media gives people a false sense of control.

“It’s nice to say, ‘Let’s get rid of this thing and then that would make all these problems go away,'” he said. “It’s kind of a simplistic answer.”

Numerous causes of violence and aggression

Dr Michael Rich, director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Boston Children’s Hospital, reviewed the findings. He said the new study attempts to simplify a complex issue.

“While violence has declined, it doesn’t warrant the conclusion that we are not affected by violence in our media,” Rich said. “As a paediatrician, I am more concerned about the violence that children experience every day, which is not reflected in crime stats.”

What people experience most are micro-aggressions, like bullying, Rich said. While he considers movies a reflection of society, he added that the causes of violence and aggression are numerous. “It’s a complex issue,” he said.

But it’s clear that violence in media has a numbing effect, making viewers less bothered by it, he said. “That is, in part, why violent media always needs to up the ante,” Rich explained.

Media violence teaches kids that the world is more violent than it really is, and most react by becoming more fearful, not more violent or aggressive, he said.

“Violence is much rarer than fear and anxiety,” Rich said. “We find that most kids who carry a weapon into school do it for protection.”

For the study, Ferguson and Villanova University psychology professor Patrick Markey reviewed other researchers’ data on PG-13 movies, along with US Federal Bureau of Investigation data on violent crime and the National Crime Victimization Survey.

Dramatic rise in gun violence

But Romer said that data can’t be used to draw conclusions about movies’ effects on violence.

Despite a sharp drop in youth violence since the mid-1990s, the homicide rate has been far more stable, Romer said.

“And the homicide data do not even focus on youth gun homicides, which is what one would want to look at if one were really interested in the effects of gun violence in popular movies,” he added.

Gun violence in young people rose dramatically as it became more common in PG-13 movies in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Romer noted.

Rich said parents can use media to teach their children. He suggested parents watch these movies with their kids and help them respond to their feelings and fears about what they see.

“Parents can help guide their children to what is acceptable and what is not,” Rich said. “Kids are always learning, but that learning can be shaped and modified.”

The report was published in the journal Psychiatric Quarterly.

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