The quiet policy shift threatening South Africa’s mental health triages
The quiet policy shift threatening South Africa’s mental health triages Mental health advocacy in motion during the period of the Life Esidimeni tragedy. The systemic vulnerabilities highlighted then continue to manifest today, exacerbated by the elimination of Regulation 425’s comprehensive training for community-level nursing staff. The quiet phase-out of South Africa’s foundational nursing curriculum has […]
Could giving up high-sugar, high-fat diets help reverse cognitive damage?
Could giving up high-sugar, high-fat diets help reverse cognitive damage? High-sugar diets may irreversibly harm brain health, animal studies find. There are several healthy lifestyle choices people can make to help protect their brain health as they age, such as eating a brain-healthy diet. Past studies show that certain foods, such as diets with high-fat […]
Omega-3s may affect brain repair: Should you avoid them?
Omega-3s may affect brain repair: Should you avoid them? Omega-3s may sometimes harm the brain, study claims. For many years, we have heard about the potential health benefits of fish oil due in part to their high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. Past studies have linked the consumption of fish oil to possible protection against […]
Can 36 minutes of specially tuned music ‘reset’ an anxious brain?
Can 36 minutes of specially tuned music ‘reset’ an anxious brain? Is there a magical duration for music to relieve anxiety? A new study may have found a sweet spot. Past research has discovered numerous health benefits of music, including improving mood, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function. A new study found that scientifically designed music […]
All coffee, even decaf, can improve mood, brain health, study finds
All coffee, even decaf, can improve mood, brain health, study finds Coffee, even decaf, has positive impact on gut-brain axis, a new study has found. A new study suggests that regularly drinking four cups of coffee a day could have a positive impact on mood and stress levels. Changes in mood and stress were also […]
29 infections and diseases may raise dementia risk, new study says
29 infections and diseases may raise dementia risk, new study says New research has linked several severe infections to an increased risk of dementia. Previous research suggests that severe infections may increase risk for dementia, but the involvement of other conditions can make the relationship unclear. One nationwide registry study conducted in Finland confirmed […]
GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic, Wegovy May Help Treat Anxiety, Depression
GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic, Wegovy May Help Treat Anxiety, Depression New research suggests that GLP-1s could offer dual benefits for treating both metabolic and mental health issues. A new study found that people taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy had a lower risk of worsening depression and anxiety. The participants also had fewer hospitalizations […]
The hidden mental health crisis of car hijackings in South Africa
The hidden mental health crisis of car hijackings in South Africa The lasting scars of car hijacking and the mental health toll on victims can last a lifetime. In South Africa, where car hijackings are a terrifying reality, victims often endure more than just the loss of their vehicle. Car hijackings are not just individual traumas—it […]
Simple Finger-Prick Test Identifies Alzheimer’s Disease
Simple Finger-Prick Test Identifies Alzheimer’s Disease Dried blood spot technology may make biomarker testing more accessible Measurements of phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217) in dried plasma spots (DPS) identified people with Alzheimer’s disease nearly as well as venous blood, data from the DROP-AD project suggested. Correlations between DPS p-tau217 and venous plasma p-tau217 were strong (rs=0.74, […]
How sports betting puts South Africans’ mental health on the line
How sports betting puts South Africans’ mental health on the line You’ve seen them while you’re watching the Springboks take on the All Blacks, checking out Tyla’s new music video on YouTube or while watching F1 reels on Instagram — a sports betting ad. As more South Africans embrace the allure of sports betting, they’re […]