Two genes may prevent HIV infection: Canadian research centre (AFP)

AFP - Scientists have isolated two genes which may prevent people from contracting HIV or at least slow the rate at which they develop AIDS, a new study has found.

Depression is a real illness which affects so many people. In fact, many people will, at some stage in their life feel the effects of some form of depression.

Depression usually occurs when there is a chemical imbalance in the brain. The imbalance occurs with serotonin - an important neurotransmitter, which helps to transfer messages throughout the structures of the brain's nerve cells. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that controls how we feel - happy or sad. If the levels of serotonin are awry, depression can result.

Anti-depressants work by regulating the amount of serotonin, to keep the brain functioning properly and keep depression at bay.

The advice below may be a means to assist those with mild to moderate depression, who are not already taking medication, but it can be an adjunct to conventional treatment, for those taking medication.

Please consult your medical practitioner if you would like to try any of the following (as it may interfere with your medication - either anti-depressants or other medication).

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is another useful nutrient and is the precursor to tryptophan - this means your body needs to have enough Vitamin B6 in order to make tryptophan (which is an essential amino acids - meaning the body cannot manufacture it and it is necessary to be taken in from foods ingested). Vitamin B6 can be taken in the form of a supplement or through foods high in vitamin B6, such as: yellowfin tuna, beef liver, potato, fortified cereals, banana, chicken breast.

Tryptophan

There are some foods which actually help the body make "happy hormones" - these foods are: low bulk creatine monohydrate powder meat (chicken / turkey especially), milk and other low fat dairy, eggs. The happy hormone is tryptophan, an essential amino acids which helps to regulate levels of serotonin in the brain and has the effect of making a person feel happier.

Exercise

Study after study has shown that moderate and regular exercise will help with mild to moderate depression to the same level as medication. The only hard thing to do is to actually get up and do the exercise, which is hard if you feel even a little down. Just try to do it and you will soon start to feel a little better with each session.

Avoid Refined Sugar to Regulate Blood Sugar Levels

If your sugar levels are erratic from high intakes of highly refined and sugary foods, this will wreak havoc on your emotional stability.

Foods that contain high levels of sugar (or are highly refined carbohydrates) make your blood sugar levels go too high very quickly and then drop again very quickly. This is not good for healthy individuals, but worse if you have any type of mental or physical affliction, due to the detrimental effects of the sugar fluctuations.

It is well known that not having stable and consistent sugar levels is not beneficial in many ways and can make a person feel anxious and nervous (low sugar levels), while high sugar levels can create artificial euphoria and feeling like one is "drunk". Keeping your sugar levels consistent, by eating wholesome, healthy foods, with a little, low fat, good quality protein at each meal, will really go a long way to ensuring your depression is not exacerbated.

Always eat breakfast - have some cereal, milk and fruit, or eggs and fruit. Try to make sure you eat some healthy snacks in between your main meals (good snacks are some crispbread with some hommous or some low fat cheese and tomatoes or some nuts and fresh fruit).

Routine

Get a regular routine going - try to do the same things at the same time - this will help you by ensuring your life is stable and consistent.

Have Medical Tests

There are several health conditions that can have depression as a symptom - so you should ensure that you have had a full medical check up to rule out any of those conditions.

For more information about health and nutrition, visit: www.vitalhealthzone.com

Jaklina Trajcevska is the creator of http://www.vitalhealthzone.com, an informational web site which aims to educate people about nutrition and health. Jaklina Trajcevska is passionate about nutrition and health and has a BSc degree.

Scientists find key brain circuits for attention (Reuters)

Reuters - Scientists have identified the brain circuits that play a key role in helping us pay attention, a finding that may help explain why things go wrong in diseases such as Alzheimer's and attention deficit disorders.

Hair is very significant to the appearance for men and women. It is a normal process to shed 50-100 hairs daily, when shampooing and brushing the hair. For whatever reason if the hair loss is bigger and persists for long time, you should be worried and look for possible causes. Hair loss, occasional or chronic and the progressive thinning and ageing of the hair is a common male most cases the process is reversible, apart from cases of genetic tendency and serious illness. For a treatment to be successful it has to positively affect all the factors, which stimulate hair growth, to support, to restore and protect the hair from the root and along entire shaft.

Hereditary hair loss or Androgenetic Alopecia

Hair loss (androgenetic alopecia or hereditary hair loss) is caused primarily due to the impact that androgens have on the hair follicles. There is a genetic predisposition for this particular category of hair loss to take place which could also be expressed at a very young age. Not only it is the main cause of androgenetic alopecia as it accounts 50-70% of all cases, but it also responsible for 40-50% of all female hair loss. The main factor that affects hair loss is the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The hair follicles at the top of the head are particularly sensitive to the effect of this hormone. DHT shortens the hair growth cycle reducing the follicle size thus leading to shedding of hair.

In males, hair loss happens in following time frames that are interrupted by remission phases. The hair becomes more and more thin and short and is finally changed into indiscernible fuzz with distinct signs of balding especially at the top of the head. The sooner the hair loss begins, the faster the process becomes. In females, hair loss occurs in seasonal spurts and follows a slow process. The hair becomes thin and dull and fall out in a diffuse manner all over the top of the head at first broadening the parting. In succession a true alopecia is observed and it ceases just about 1 cm away from the hairline.

Other types of Hair loss

Non-hereditary hair loss occurs mostly in women and is predominately caused by hormonal disorders (pregnancy, menopause) by uncommonly stressful situations and overtiredness by crazy unhealthy diet or malnutrition (low vitamin, protein and trace mineral intake) by mechanical damage (repeated shampooing with tough shampoos, blow drying, excessive combing, hair bands) or chemical damage (hair l-aspartic acid online buy powder hair perms). Other factors that intensify the condition are the excessive sebum secretion, the intense dehydration of the scalp, UV radiation, pollution and environmental conditions (drought, wind). Finally there are cases of hair loss that are directly related to numerous conditions and the use of specific drugs. These cases are referred to as pathogenic hair loss and need the medical assist of a dermatologist.

Nutrition: Proper hair nourishment and invigoration

Your daily diet affects the healthy form and the quality of your hair. The every day intake of nutrients that are implicated in the appropriate growth of the hair is requirement that must be met through our regular diet.

One of the key factors of hair loss is a diet rich in fat. The combination of a diet low in fat and the intake of food rich in protein (lecithin, wheat germ oil, brewers yeast), amino acids that are involved in the formation of hairs keratin, minerals and trace elements that are involved in the development of hair (silica, zinc).

Hair loss natural treatment.

Generally, anxiety, stress and extreme exhaustion are all factors that affect good health of the hair and their growth. Keep in mind that a healthy life style, resting, a good nights sleep, stress management and regular eating habits can indisputably contribute to healthy hair growth.

Aromatherapy is one of the natural therapies that can also be beneficial to hair wellness. Shampoos and solution with the appropriate essential oils are used to combat safely baldness and promote hair regrowing. They have antibacterial, tonic and antiseptic attributes and aid good condition of scalp. Thyme, Rosemary, Lavender, Jojoba and Cedarwood oil are considered by dermatologists as the most effective essential oils that can naturally treat hair loss and improve hair health.

George Kakaris lives in a greek island and seeks natural health secrets. Visit his site devoted to Aromatherapy read the attributes of several Essential Oils and see how you can improve your health using Aromatherapy Recipes.