WORKING overtime puts you at a higher risk of developing anxiety and depression. A new study also found that anxiety and depression rates were higher among less-skilled workers and those with lower income.

Researchers looked at 1,350 overtime workers and 9,000 with normal work hours in Norway. They found that men who worked 40 hours a week or less had a nine per cent "possible" depression score on standard screening questionnaires, while 12.5 per cent of their counterparts who worked overtime showed signs of depression and anxiety. For women, the possible depression rate increased from seven per cent to 11 per cent.

Men who worked the most overtime - nine to 60 hours a week - showed the greatest link to anxiety and depression. These men tended to have lower work skills and education levels than others and have jobs involving heavy manual labour and shift work.

But the researchers noted that even moderate overtime work appeared to bump up the risk of "mental distress". But what causes working long hours to increase anxiety and depression was not explored in the study.

Internal locus factor and healthy adults

CHILDREN who believe they have control over their lives may grow up to be healthier adults. They are also less likely to be overweight at age 30, have poor health or show high levels of psychological stress.

Researchers looked at the potential health effects of a trait known as "locus of control" - the extent to which individuals think they can influence events through their own actions. Those who believe they are largely in charge of their lives have an "internal" locus of control, while those who feel they are not, have an "external" locus.
 

The researchers believed children with a more internal locus of control behave more healthily as adults. They may also have higher self-esteem, which could also encourage them to take up healthy habits.

Problems related to Vitamin D deficiency

VITAMIN D deficiency has been linked to diabetes, obesity, several types of cancer and high blood pressure. Now a new study found vitamin D deficiency linked to an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

Although scientists do not know how low levels of vitamin D contribute to cardiovascular problems or other causes of death, numerous studies have shown that it plays a key role in human immunity.

At least 50 per cent of older individuals worldwide have insufficient vitamin D in their blood, and the situation is similar for younger people. Possible causes are a decline in outdoor activity, ageing and atmospheric pollution.

The main source of vitamin D is sun exposure since the ultraviolet rays of the sun trigger vitamin D synthesis within the human body. Ten to 15 minutes a day in the sun is sufficient.

Considered key to bone health, it is naturally present in fish, beef liver and egg yolks, among others. Eighty-five grammes of canned tuna has 200 international units (IU) of vitamin D.

The American Institute of Medicine recommends 200 IU of vitamin D a day for children and adults up to the age of 50. Adults older than 50 should take 400 to 600 IU per day.

How to alleviate asthma

PEOPLE who have asthma can significantly reduce the risk of attacks by eating lots of fish, grains and fruit.Researchers from University of Porto in Portugal studied 174 asthmatics and monitored their conditions to see if they were well-controlled or poorly-controlled, enduring frequent bouts of wheezing.

They found that those who suffered less ate larger quantities of Mediterranean foods and drank less alcohol than those who had regular attacks.

Beneficial effects of coffee and tea

DRINKING coffee and tea could potentially reduce the risk of stroke for men who smoke because these beverages have antioxidant properties.

Researchers from Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden revealed that high consumption of coffee and tea may reduce the risk of cerebral infarction among men, independent of known cardiovascular risk factors.

They noted that the beneficial effects of consumption of coffee and tea with regard to risk of cerebral infarction are biologically plausible because coffee and tea contain phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties that may prevent atherosclerosis. The researchers think the findings should be confirmed in women and non-smokers.

The team examined ties between consumption of coffee and tea and risk of different types of stroke - such as cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage, both of which are strokes caused by bleeding in the brain, and cerebral infarction, which is a more common type of stroke caused by blockage of an artery that supplies blood to the brain. This type of stroke is often caused by the hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).