But the findings only show an association; they don't prove cause and effect, experts say.

But the findings only show an association; they don't prove cause and effect, experts say.

WEDNESDAY, April 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Older adults who show signs of apathy tend to have a smaller brain volume than their peers with more vim and vigor, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that of more than 4,300 older adults, those with at least two symptoms of apathy had slightly less gray matter and white matter in their brains. Gray matter basically acts as the brain's information-processing centers, while white matter is like the wiring connecting those centers.

Experts said it's not clear what to make of the findings, published online April 16 inNeurology.

While the study tied apathy to reduced brain volume, it didn't prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

It's possible that apathy could serve as a "warning sign" of increased dementia risk or some other disorder affecting the brain, according to Lenore Launer, a researcher at the U.S. National Institute on Aging who worked on the study.

But she said more research is needed to understand what is going on.

A neurologist who was not involved in the study agreed. "It's important not to over-interpret the results," said Dr. Marc Gordon, chief of neurology at Zucker Hillside Hospital, in Glen Oaks, N.Y.

"This doesn't mean that if you change your behavior -- if you go out more, or somehow try to be 'less apathetic' -- you're going to increase your brain volume," Gordon said.

The findings are based on 4,354 adults from Iceland, mainly in their 70s, who underwent MRI scans to measure their brain volume. They also answered three questions aimed at gauging apathy: "Have you dropped many of your activities and interests?" "Do you prefer to stay at home, rather than going out and doing new things?" and "Do you feel full of energy?"

Almost half of the study participants had two or three signs of apathy. And on average, Launer's team found, they had slightly smaller brain volume than those with one or no signs of apathy.

That leaves open the chicken-and-egg question. "We can't say which comes first, apathy or changes in the brain consistent with symptoms of apathy," Launer said.

The researchers did try to tease out whether certain health conditions could explain the connection. Apathy symptoms are common in people with depression, for example, but Launer's team found that apathy was tied to lower brain volume even in the absence of depression. People with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia often become apathetic as well, but none of the study participants had dementia.

The researchers also factored in diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and study participants' exercise levels and walking speeds. Apathy was still linked to lower brain volume.

And what's the significance of that extra brain shrinkage? "Our brains do get smaller as we age. We know that," Zucker Hillside's Gordon said. But, he added, brain atrophy can be accelerated when people are on the path to dementia, or have another disorder affecting the brain.

However, it's impossible to tell why the study participants with apathy had a lower brain volume. "We don't know if this is related to neurodegeneration," Gordon said, referring to the death of brain cells that can lead to Alzheimer's disease -- as well as other brain disorders, like Parkinson's disease.

Another possibility, according to Launer's team, is that "cerebral small-vessel disease" plays some role. That refers to damage to the small blood vessels of the brain, from conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Small-vessel disease can lead to what doctors call vascular dementia -- which is second to Alzheimer's as the most common form of dementia.

But the current study cannot show whether apathy is an early warning sign of dementia, or any other condition, Gordon stressed. To do that, he said, researchers would have to do a long-range study.

For now, study co-author Launer suggested that older adults who notice a loss of energy or motivation bring it up to their doctor. She said it could be a sign of some underlying problem that warrants a closer look.

Apathy in older folks could signal shrinking brain

Being apathetic is usually defined as showing a lack of enthusiasm or energy. Most people who experience it say they just aren’t motivated to do anything.

Although anyone in any age group can become apathetic, it has been well documented that apathy tends to affect those in their golden years. Now scientists believe that an elderly person’s lack of emotion and indifference to the world could be a sign his or her brain is shrinking.

A study published Wednesday in the journal Neurology, and funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Aging, found that older folks, who are apathetic - but not depressed – may be suffering from smaller brain volumes than those without apathy.

Researchers looked at more than 4,300 people from the Netherlands, with an average age of 76, who did not have dementia. All underwent brain MRI scans and were later asked questions that measured their apathy symptoms, such as lack of interest in things, giving up activities they once enjoyed and a lack of energy.

Scientists at the University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands found that people with two or more of these symptoms had 1.4% smaller gray matter and 1.6% less white matter in their brains than those who showed little or no apathy. Gray matter is where memories and learning are stored in the brain, while white matter is the part of the brain that controls its communication system.

"Just as signs of memory loss may signal brain changes related to brain disease, apathy may indicate underlying changes," says study author Lenore J. Launer with the National Institute on Aging and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. "Apathy symptoms are common in older people without dementia. And the fact that participants in our study had apathy without depression should turn our attention to how apathy alone could indicate brain disease."

Although the findings are interesting, to some doctors they are not surprising. Dr. Marc Dalton of Dalton Psychiatry in Washington says he sees apathy in a number of his elderly patients. He believes the new findings could give him better insight on ways to approach their treatment.

“I think you have to look at how this may alter the way we view those with severe apathetic tendencies," he says. "Are these people giving up, or are they just tired? Can they still function, able to enjoy life at times, or is their apathy caused by something more serious?"

Study authors agree more research needs to be done. But the data does seem to show, they say, that apathy in older people could signal something more than just moodiness.

"If these findings are confirmed, identifying people with apathy earlier may be one way to target an at-risk group," notes Launer.

“The brain is still the final frontier,” says Dalton. “Taking this information and expanding on the research could lead to even more insight into how (brain) development can affect us mentally and physically.”

Health benefits of mushrooms

For thousands of years, Eastern cultures have revered mushrooms’ health benefits.1 Mushrooms have long been celebrated as a source of powerful nutrients, but they can also help Americans meet the dietary recommendations set forth in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines and Institute of Medicine’s Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D.

Often grouped with vegetables, mushrooms provide many of the nutritional attributes of produce, as well as attributes more commonly found in meat, beans or grains. Mushrooms are low in calories, fat-free, cholesterol-free, gluten-free, and very low in sodium, yet they provide important nutrients, including selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D and more.





The focus on the nutritional value of brightly colored fruits and vegetables has unintentionally left mushrooms in the dark. Mushrooms provide a number of nutrients:
Mushrooms are a good source of B vitamins, including riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid, which help to provide energy by breaking down proteins, fats and carbohydrates2. B vitamins also play an important role in the nervous system.
Pantothenic acid helps with the production of hormones and also plays an important role in the nervous system2.
Riboflavin helps maintain healthy red blood cells2.
Niacin promotes healthy skin and makes sure the digestive and nervous systems function properly2.
Mushrooms are also a source of important minerals:
Selenium is a mineral that works as an antioxidant to protect body cells from damage that might lead to heart disease, some cancers and other diseases of aging2. It also has been found to be important for the immune system and fertility in men3. Many foods of animal origin and grains are good sources of selenium, but mushrooms are among the richest sources of selenium in the produce aisle and provide 8-22 mcg per serving4. This is good news for vegetarians, whose sources of selenium are limited.
Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring antioxidant that also may help protect the body’s cells. Mushrooms provide 2.8-4.9 mg of ergothioneine per serving of white, portabella or crimini mushrooms5.
Copper helps make red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. Copper also helps keep bones and nerves healthy2.
Potassium is an important mineral many people do not get enough of. It aids in the maintenance of normal fluid and mineral balance, which helps control blood pressure. It also plays a role in making sure nerves and muscles, including the heart, function properly2. Mushrooms have 98-376 mg of potassium per 84 gram serving, which is 3-11 percent of the Daily Value4.
Beta-glucans, found in numerous mushroom species, have shown marked immunity-stimulating effects, contribute to resistance against allergies and may also participate in physiological processes related to the metabolism of fats and sugars in the human body. The beta-glucans contained in oyster, shiitake and split gill mushrooms are considered to be the most effective6.



Scientists at City of Hope were some of the first to find a potential link between mushrooms and a decreased likelihood of tumor growth and development in cells and animals. City of Hope researchers now plan to apply this research to human clinical trials.



Mushrooms are the leading source of the essential antioxidant selenium in the produce aisle. Antioxidants, like selenium, protect body cells from damage that might lead to chronic diseases. They help to strengthen the immune system, as well2. In addition, mushrooms provide ergothioneine, a naturally occurring antioxidant that may help protect the body’s cells.



Mushrooms are hearty and filling. Preliminary research suggests increasing intake of low-energy-density foods (meaning few calories given the volume of food), specifically mushrooms, in place of high-energy-density foods, like lean ground beef, can be an effective method for reducing daily energy and fat intake while still feeling full and satiated after the meal7.



Umami is the fifth basic taste after sweet, salty, bitter and sour. Derived from the Japanese word umai, meaning “delicious,” umami (pronounced oo-MAH-mee) is described as a savory, brothy, rich or meaty taste sensation. It’s a satisfying sense of deep, complete flavor, balancing savory flavors and full-bodied taste with distinctive qualities of aroma and mouthfeel.8 The more umami present in food, the more flavorful it will be. All mushrooms are a rich source of umami and the darker the mushroom the more umami it contains.

Another interesting characteristic about umami is that it counterbalances saltiness and allows for less salt to be used in a meal, without compromising flavor. “Tasting Success with Cutting Salt,” a collaborative report from the department of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health and the Culinary Institute of America, suggests cooking with umami-rich ingredients, like mushrooms, instead of salt to reduce the overall sodium in a dish.



When building your plate to maximize vitamin D, consider mushrooms – they’re the only source of vitamin D in the produce aisle and one of the few non-fortified food sources. In fact, the IOM recognizes them as the exception to the rule that plant foods don’t naturally contain vitamin D.

source: mushroominfo.com

How to Maintain Healthy Habits When You Aren’t Feeling Well

For the past several weeks, I’ve been battling some pretty unpleasant tummy issues. It’s thrown me and my healthy eating (and exercise) habits through a loop. I’ve always had a “stomach of steel,” so I never really paid much attention to what I ate until now. To help with my wonky digestion issues, my doctor suggested limiting the high-fiber foods in my diet to give my system a rest and to minimize symptoms, so I’ve avoided all of my usual healthy fruits, veggies, and whole grains and started to eat more bland, intestine-friendly foods, including chicken, rice, bananas, and sweet potatoes. And I do feel better!

This hasn’t been a common occurrence, but there are certainly other times that I don’t feel 100%—times when I need to change how and what I eat. In the past when I wasn’t feeling well, I used it as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted. I mean, I didn’t feel well, so comfort food made perfect sense. For me, this meant frosting-covered Pop Tarts and neon orange Kraft Mac & Cheese, which obviously weren’t the most nutritious or figure-friendly options. Now, here’s how I get myself healthy when I’m feeling under the weather without blowing my diet and exercise routine all together.

If I have the flu
When I came down with the flu last year, I was worried I’d trade regular exercise, fruits, and veggies for a whole lot of junk food, but I was surprised that I didn’t have much of an appetite. Once my nausea subsided, I stuck to bland food that could be easily digested, like saltine crackers, plain noodles, and scrambled eggs. Exercise was, of course, out of the question when I was feeling this badly. I knew my body needed to slow down and rest so that it could fully recover. As soon as my fever broke, I reverted back to eating more nutritious foods, and I made sure to get outside for a few brisk walks.

If I have the sniffles
During cold season, if I come down with a case of the sniffles, I change my eating habits based on my level of sickness. For instance, if I am really out of commission for the first couple of days, I lighten up my diet expectations and I don’t push myself to exercise. But I also don’t let myself get totally off track. I don’t to use only a mild cold (if I’m sure that’s really all it is) as an excuse to eat unhealthy food or skip the gym, so I incorporate my healthy habits back into my routine at the first sign that I’m feeling better.

I have a headache
Dehydration is a common cause of headaches, so I aim to drink 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of water every day. Additionally, if I feel a headache coming on, I’ll try to snack on nutrient-rich foods like watermelon and other fruits and veggies, which have a high water content and can help stop a headache.

I’m hungover
Okay, I’d admit—last weekend I had a few too many cocktails with some friends, so I dealt with a terrible hangover the next day. Drinking alcohol dehydrates and zaps the body of potassium, so to help with hangover-related headaches and other not-so-great feelings, I loaded up my diet with potassium-rich foods like bananas and coconut water to help me feel better.

I’m just plain tired
Instead of grabbing an iced coffee when the mid-afternoon slump hits, I make green smoothies for a more nutritious energy punch. My favorite Coconut-Kale Smoothie combines carbohydrates, potassium, and fiber, which gives me the boost of energy that I need to get me through the afternoon. A smoothie is also a lot more satisfying than a cup of coffee, so it holds off my hunger until dinnertime with no problem.

Stressed Out? Tricks to Avoid Emotional Eating

A few years ago, I worked in a 9-5 desk job in an office where the kitchen was a ever-present buffet of donuts, muffins, cookies, and other larger-than-life pastries. I honestly can’t remember too many days when there wasn’t some sort of sweet treat tempting me to eat it. I often fell victim to those goodies when my stress levels rose, and instead of dealing with what was actually stressing me out, I temporarily masked my feelings with the treats. For a long time, I didn’t recognize this pattern was happening—until it led me to gain several pounds.

Even now when I feel stressed, I still crave sugary carbs, which are loaded with calories and fat and not helpful when it comes to maintaining my Feel Great Weight. It’s not always easy to overcome those emotions, but these tricks have certainly helped me (and will help you!) get a handle on stress eating.

Know your triggers. When I felt overwhelmed by a monstrous to-do list or frustrated by a difficult project, I’d often find myself turning to sugary treats for comfort, but learning my motives was key for controlling those cravings. Once I was more conscious of these triggers, I started to change my eating patterns.

Ask, ‘I am really hungry?’ When I feel the urge to stress-eat, I take a moment to assess my actual hunger.  I’ll even ask myself: “Am I really hungry?” I know my physical and emotional hungers are different, so I try to wait out a craving to see if my hunger subsides.

Stock up on healthy eats. If I am really hungry, I will eat a healthy snack, like a peanut butter and banana sandwich or Greek yogurt with cereal and nuts mixed in. The combination of healthy carbs, fat, and protein satisfies my hunger while helping me feel more relaxed at the same time. Similarly, snacking on crunchy raw veggies like carrot or celery sticks helps me deal with my frustration without consuming a lot of calories.

Use distractions. When my urge to reach for a sugar treat is really strong, I distract myself from the idea. I’ll either take a brisk 10-minute walk, listen to music on my iPod, read one of my favorite blogs, or chat with a friend for a little while. Most of the time, doing one of these things calms me and helps me get a handle on my stress eating.

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Pretend it doesn’t exist. Think: out of sight, out of mind. For example, if I know there are cookies in my kitchen, I’ll inevitably want to eat them as soon as I start to feel stressed. If I forget that they exist, the chances that I will turn to them for comfort drops considerably.

Be healthy. This one might seem kind of obvious, but simply trying to be healthy in my everyday life helps me manage my stress levels and cravings. I try to exercise regularly and get adequate sleep each night, because I know if I’m tired or cranky, I’ll reach for food as soon as I start to feel stressed.