Essential fatty acid intakes and markers of mood & metabolic health in postmenopausal women
I am currently studying at Manchester Metropolitan University for my MSc in Nutrition & Health. The course requires me to submit a research project and for this I have chosen to assess the habitual intakes of essential fatty acids in postmenopausal women in relation to depressive symptoms and risk to metabolic health, i.e. cardiovascular disease.
Mental illness in the form of depression is predicted to become the second most prevalent cause of disability worldwide by 2020. It is a serious, chronic and recurrent illness and most studies suggest that women are twice more likely to suffer than men.
Studies have clearly shown that depression is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and a survey by the American Heart Association demonstrated that only 57% of women were aware that heart disease was a significant risk to their health.
Given the mounting evidence that depression is an independent risk factor to metabolic health and in view of the fact that these changes take place slowly, the middle years of a woman's life present an excellent opportunity to educate and intervene.
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The research would require you to complete the following:- | |
| • | A general health questionnaire including age, height, weight etc | |
| • | Two questionnaires focusing upon mood | |
| • | A food frequency questionnaire. | |
You will also be asked to measure your waist circumference and provided with a tape measure and instructions on how to do so.
If you are aged between 45-60 years of age and have not had a menstrual period for over 12 months (not due to surgery, medication or weight loss) and are not taking anti-depressant medication (or herbal alternatives), hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or fish oil supplements and are interested in taking part in this project to discover how to protect your health, please contact me on 07796 091215 or e-mail me at cathy.rowanclinic@btinternet.com
Modifying our dietary intake to achieve a nutrient dense, balanced diet is possibly the best defence against protecting the body and providing sufficient nutrients for long-life & well-being.
All information provided will be treated with the strictest confidence.
