MIND diet could reduce cognitive decline in stroke survivors

The MIND diet (short for Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) is a hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets. Both diets have been found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack, hypertension and stroke. Researchers at Rush University Medical Center created the diet, and according to preliminary findings, the diet may help slow the cognitive decline in stroke survivors. The discovery is significant since stroke survivors are twice as likely to develop dementia when compared to the general population.“The foods that promote brain health, including vegetables, berries, fish and olive oil, are included in the MIND diet,” said Dr. Laurel J. Cherian, a vascular neurologist and the lead author of the study. The MIND diet has 15 dietary elements, including ten brain-healthy food groups, and five unhealthy groups which include red meat, butter, cheese, pastries and sweets, and fried and fast food.From 2004 to 2017, Cherian and colleagues studied 106 participants for the Rush Memory and Aging Project who had a history of stroke associated with a decline in their ability to think, reason and remember. Participants were assessed every year for an average of 5.9 years, and their eating habits were monitored using food journals.The researchers grouped participants into three groups: (1) those who were highly adherent to the MIND diet; (2) those who were moderately adherent; and (3) those who were least adherent. Participants whose diets scored highest on the MIND diet grading scheme had substantially slower rates of cognitive decline than those who scored lowest. “The Mediterranean and DASH diets have been shown to be protective against coronary artery disease and stroke, but it seems that the nutrients emphasized in the MIND diet may be better suited to overall brain health and preserving cognition,” Cherian said. According to Cherian, studies have found that folate, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids and flavonoids are associated with slower rates of cognitive decline, while substances such as saturated and hydrogenated fats have been linked with dementia.To adhere to the MIND diet, you need to eat at least three servings of whole grains and two portions of vegetables every day, one of which must be a leafy green; you must also snack most days on nuts, have beans every other day, eat poultry and berries at least twice a week and eat fish once a week.Cherian cautions that the study had a relatively small number of participants and its findings cannot be interpreted as a cause-and-effect relationship. Although further research is needed to understand the link between this style of eating and its positive effects on the brain, “For now, I think there is enough information to encourage stroke patients to view food as an important tool to optimize their brain health,” says Cherian.

Mental Health Support for Children and Youth in Downsview

From an early age we are taught how to recognize our emotions. To label them and give them a name — sadness, anger. We are taught how to regulate and control these emotions — stay calm, use your words. We are advised on coping strategies and given problem solving tools — take a deep breath, tell someone what is bothering you. Although we are taught all of these things, feelings are often dismissed. The stigma around mental illness is so hard to combat, especially when it is surrounding youth.Mental health is a murky subject, often tip-toed around and whispered about in hushed tones. We shy away from the topic of mental health because we don’t want to emphasize the situation or blow things out of proportion, however mental health needs to be talked about. It is important to not only recognize the signs of mental illness, but understand what good mental health means and what that looks like in relation to children and youth.Mental health is a state of well-being, it is not about being blissfully happy all of the time, nor is it characterized as being sad. Good mental health allows children to think clearly and cope with the normal stresses of life, developing both socially and mentally. Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that may affect one’s mood, thinking or behaviour. This includes depression, anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder, bipolar disorder, and many more.The Hincks-Dellcrest Early Years Centre is located on 1645 Sheppard Ave West and is one of three centres for youth located in Toronto. The Centre’s focus on providing prevention, early intervention, and treatment services to infants, children, and youth who live in local communities through programs such as, “the ABCs of Mental Health”. As Sandra, an employee at Hincks-Dellcrest Centre(HDC) explains, the Centre “gives families and youth tools on how to handle behaviour…we provide different kinds of services —starting with prevention.”Because there are some illnesses we cannot see, it is important to be aware and know where to access valuable resources, skills and training to enhance mental health competencies. The demand for children’s mental health services is increasing 10% each year^[1]. The centre has recently announced their intention to integrate with Sick Kids Hospital, providing specialized hospital and community-based mental health services for children and youth.97% of the HDC is run on donations and fundraisers within the community, because of this they focus heavily on providing drop-in and education programs, support, training and free parenting and group workshops. On Thursday March 30th, 6:30-8:00 pm the Centre will be holding a free workshop, “Raising Resilient Children”, further details and workshop listings are available online.Label the emotion, give it a name. Regulate and control these feelings. Use the coping strategies and problem solving tools. It is not a matter of achieving good mental health, rather it is a process of maintaining it.^[1] Children’s Mental Health Ontario