664437 Tue Nov 03 12:44:33 -0800 2009 9 33 Food Media and News 0 5152748 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/1102/breaking71.html Not that I am all that surprised by the finding, the methodology of the study though left quite a bit to be desired. Certainly food for thought, so to speak. Tue Nov 03 12:44:33 -0800 2009 11826 Phaedrus 1 5152784 "Eating too much processed food can increase the risk of depression, research suggests." I actually believe it's the other way around where "those who are depressed will eat more processed foods..." Those researchers need to rework their hypothesis. Tue Nov 03 12:51:27 -0800 2009 5152748 56054 dave_c 1 5152790 The write-up included the caveat, "Results could be explained by lifestyle factors not previously accounted for, so are inconclusive. But they add to "an existing body of solid research that shows the strong links between what we eat and our mental health", such that I (a research scientist) can't fault the methodology given what (little) is presented in the blurb. Tue Nov 03 12:51:58 -0800 2009 5152748 36661 Sam Fujisaka 2 5152923 Well, the caveat is a CYA. The results certainly warrants a closer look, with the proper biasing in place. Tue Nov 03 13:27:13 -0800 2009 5152790 11826 Phaedrus 1 5153482 Here's a longer summary http://www.physorg.com/news176369681.html "The researchers said that further research is needed to explain why eating processed food is associated with higher risk of depression, but they suggested it could be because a processed food diet is associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease and inflammation, which are known to be involved in the development of depression." I wonder if the emphasis should be on 'processed' as opposed to high-fat and/or high-sugar. Tue Nov 03 16:19:50 -0800 2009 5152748 12139 paulj 2 5155038 A search on 'fat cognition' turned up two recent medical studies. One, using pilots as test subjects, found that a high fat diet improved performance on short term memory tests. Another, using rats, found lower performance on tests (such as mazes) with a high fat diet. Wed Nov 04 08:54:38 -0800 2009 5153482 12139 paulj 3 5156982 damned if you do, damned if you don't. or...maybe you can remember the way out of the maze, but just don't have the energy to run it..... ;-). <dangit, now i've gotten involved in another thread of controversy!> Wed Nov 04 19:23:28 -0800 2009 5155038 105717 alkapal 3 5157037 different fats can have different effects... Wed Nov 04 19:45:34 -0800 2009 5155038 103920 goodhealthgourmet 1 5155142 Some of my most obviously depressed friends are also obsessive with their food issues, constantly warning me away from processed foods & preservatives. Wed Nov 04 09:23:15 -0800 2009 5152748 202198 ferret 2 5155322 On a lighter note, I find having to limit my diet in any respect depressing. Wed Nov 04 10:06:26 -0800 2009 5155142 1095104 bushwickgirl