More Evidence Pours In - Botox Indeed Works For Depression

Botox is a popular aesthetic treatment used to soften the wrinkles on upper face associated with show of emotions like frown, frustration and anger. But lately we have been hearing reports that by softening these expression lines most people also get the added benefit of mood improvement. Theoretically it makes sense, if you look angry, tired and depressed you are likely to act it too. To prove this theory one of the first studies has been conducted at the Hannover Medical School in Germany where the investigators found that treating the facial muscles involved in emotion with Botulinum alleviates depressive symptoms.

Reporting the results of his study at a press conference at the American Psychiatric Association's 2014 Annual Meeting study’s lead investigator Prof. Tillmann Kruger explained, "Our emotions are expressed by facial muscles, which in turn send feedback signals to the brain to reinforce those emotions. Treating facial muscles with Botulinum toxin interrupts this cycle".

Botox For Depression A Novel Approach

A previous open case series showed that depression remitted or improved in patients who had undergone BTX treatment for glabellar frown lines. Following this lead the investigators, decided to study the positive effects on mood post such a treatment. To confirm these results, Dr. Kruger and colleague M. Axel Wollmer, MD, from the Asklepios Clinic North Ochsenzoll in Hamburg, Germany, conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of BTX injection as an adjunctive treatment for major depression.

A total of 30 patients with high levels of chronic and treatment-resistant depression were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a single injection of BTX or a single injection of saline placebo.

The study's primary end point was a change from baseline in depressive symptoms, as measured by the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD17), during the 16-week study.

Six weeks after a single treatment, the BTX group experienced an average 47.1% reduction in HAMD17 scores vs 9.2% in the placebo group.

The investigators found that the effect improved even further at the end of the study and that treatment-dependent clinical improvement was also reflected in the Beck Depression Inventory and the Clinical Global Impressions Scale.

At the end of the study the investigators concluded that, "This study shows that a single treatment of the glabellar region with Botulinum toxin may shortly accomplish a strong and sustained alleviation of depression in patients who did not improve sufficiently on previous medication. It supports the concept that the facial musculature not only expresses but also regulates mood states."

Dr. Kruger is positively hopeful in commenting that BTX may offer a "novel, effective, well-accepted, and economic therapeutic tool for the treatment of major depression."

These findings have since been replicated in 2 subsequent studies, one by Michelle Magid, MD, and colleagues, which was presented in March at the American Academy of Dermatology 72nd Annual Meeting and reported by Medscape Medical News at that time, and the other by Eric Finzi, MD, PhD, and colleagues, which was published in the May issue of Journal of Psychiatric Research and was also reported by Medscape Medical News.

Dr. Kruger and his colleagues are currently conducting a meta-analysis of the 3 randomized trials in an effort to "further corroborate this novel treatment approach." The researchers are also testing BTX's therapeutic potential in other psychiatric disorders.

Moderating the press conference and commenting on this particular study Jeffrey Borenstein, MD, president and CEO of the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation in New York City and chair of the American Psychiatric Association's Council on Communications, reflected that pursuing new treatments for depression is crucial and that he would like to see this line of research pursued in studies that include larger numbers of patients.

We await further results from such studies that can provide us with further concrete evidence that botox indeed can change how depression is treated and how change in appearance can positively affect human behavior.

Summer Etiquette — Sunglasses, Skin Damage & Smart Changes

Do you wear sunglasses to look dapper or protect yourself from sun?

Let's make sure you bring to pass both

Don't You Dare Don Your Aviators On The Beach — For that matter any metal frames on most glasses or aviators reflect sunlight onto the tops of the cheeks, causing them to burn and those who wear them often get sunspots on their cheeks as a result. To protect skin damage pick sunglasses with plastic frames instead.

Go Bold With Mirrored Or Photochromic Lenses — They block more UV rays than regular tinted lenses. That's key, since the thin skin around your eyes is so prone to sun damage and wrinkles.

Invest In Max Protection 100% UV Filter Lenses — UV light from the sun can cause sunburn on the cornea of your eyes. It can also cause blurred vision, redness, irritation, and wrinkles around delicate skin of eyes.

Big Is Always Better Go For Celeb Face Hiding Frames — Larger frames and wrap-around styles provide extra UV protection by blocking rays that come in from the side.

Loop Your Skin & Complexion Radiance With These Summer Fruits

I firmly believe in the mantra—“Eat To Keep Yourself Healthy Because Your Health Is Reflected Through Your Skin”. A healthy diet rich in fruits can boost your overall health and promote glowing, healthy skin. Dedicate this summer of 2014 to indulge in an assortment of exotic and nutritious fruits to give your skin a mega watt boost.

Dragon Fruit: If you are looking for a fruit that will delay aging, prevent high blood pressure, and improve your figure, look no further as this pitaya fruit will assist you with living a happier and healthier life. Packed with fiber and incredibly low in calories, dragon fruit will help you to feel full after eating and stop food cravings. It also improves the metabolism rate, assisting you with weight management. To keep your skin young and vibrant this fruit comes loaded with Vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, calcium, phosphorous, iron, proteins, and niacin.

Pineapple: This tropical fruit is rich in vitamin A, B, C and bromelain making it a perfect natural remedy to keep acne prone skin clear and radiant. Bromelain is an enzyme that softens skin and has been used for hundreds of years in South and Central America to fight inflammation and swelling. Eating pineapple or drinking it’s juice helps the body synthesize collagen, which helps skin to stay firm and flexible, while vitamin C and amino acids aid in cell and tissue repair.

Kiwi Fruit: Also known as Chinese Gooseberry is not only a delicious and nutrient-rich fruit but also a great natural ingredient for your skin care. It contains several skin friendly nutrients like vitamin C & E, Alpha hydroxy acids, iron, copper, omega-3 and antioxidants. These are essential for boosting and rejuvenating your skin’s health. Kiwi is loaded with dietary fiber and antioxidants, making it an excellent laxative. Regular consumption of the kiwi fruit juice aids the body in eliminating toxins and wastes, and thus resulting in healthy and glowing skin. Kiwi is low in calories and is therefore a great food for people on a slim down diet or weight watch. It also contains soluble fiber, which promotes fullness and reduces hunger pangs.

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Strawberries: These berries are super fruits, bursting with powerful anti-oxidants and loads of vitamin C that can provide your skin with nourishing nutrients for healthy happy skin. Research shows that people who eat foods rich in vitamin C have fewer wrinkles and age related skin problems than those who don’t. Strawberries are an excellent source of dietary fiber that helps eliminate harmful toxins in our bodies. Rich in Folic Acid these luscious berries aid in cell regeneration and production of new cells in our bodies. Strawberries contain the anti-oxidant ellagic acid, which prevents collagen destruction (one of the major causes of wrinkle formation). Ellagic acid has a photo-protective effect that works against UV damage by stifling the production of MMP (enzymes that contribute in destruction of collagen). This prevents wrinkles from forming on the skin, thereby providing a healthy supple look to your skin.

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Papaya: This “Fruit of the Angels” is loved by all and is quite famous for its luscious taste and rich texture as well as health benefits. Papaya is abundant in anti-oxidants and has a huge concentration of Vitamin A. Papaya can work wonders on tired, “old” looking skin. It’s high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and also contains Vitamin E, so it has a significant antioxidant value.  Applying papaya to your skin has an amazing tightening, as well as brightening, effect. It’s abundant in natural alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), which is an ingredient in those expensive anti-aging skin formulas.  It acts as a gentle exfoliator as well as a skin brightener.  Whenever you exfoliate the dark, dead skin cells, the skin will appear lighter, brighter, clearer and more youthful looking.

Take a health vow this summer my beauties and aside from staying away from cigarettes and using sunscreen when you go out, the next best thing you can do for your skin's health is to eat a diet rich in antioxidants. These are nutrients that work to defend your body's cells including skin cells against the damage of oxidative stress.