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Background Depression is a common mental health condition that affects 1 in 8 males each year, especially young adults. Young adulthood offers an opportunity for early dietary interventions, with research suggesting that a Mediterranean diet (MD) could be beneficial in treating depression. Objectives This study aimed to determine if an MD can improve depressive symptoms in young males with clinical depression. Methods A 12-wk, parallel-group, open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effect of an MD intervention in the treatment of moderate to severe depression in young males (18–25 y). Befriending therapy was chosen for the control group. Assessments were taken at baseline, week 6, and week 12. MD adherence was measured with the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Score (MEDAS). The primary outcome measure was the Beck Depression Inventory Scale—version II (BDI-II) and secondary outcome was quality of life (QoL). Results A total of 72 participants completed the study. After 12 wk, the MEDAS scores were significantly higher in the MD group compared with the befriending group (mean difference: 7.8; 95% CI: 7.23, 8.37; P  < 0.001). The mean change in BDI-II score was significantly higher in the MD group compared with the befriending group at week 12 (mean difference: 14.4; 95% CI: 11.41, 17.39; P  < 0.001). The mean change in QoL score was also significantly higher in the MD group compared with the befriending group at week 12 (mean difference: 12.7; 95% CI: 7.92, 17.48; P  < 0.001). Conclusions Our results demonstrate that compared with befriending, an MD intervention leads to significant increases in MEDAS, decreases in BDI-II score, and increases in QoL scores. These results highlight the important role of nutrition for the treatment of depression and should inform advice given by clinicians to this specific demographic population. The trial was registered with Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (trial ID ACTRN12619001545156) and has also been registered with the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (Universal Trial Number U1111-1242-5215). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare professionals' advice on lifestyle behaviours is a key factor in improving a nation's health. Although allied health professionals have been well placed to provide such advice as part of patient care, little is known about the characteristics of allied health practitioners who discuss lifestyle topics with patients. This paper focused upon an overlooked avenue for lifestyle advice regarding an allied health profession – osteopathy. A workforce survey including questions about four lifestyle topics (including diet/nutrition, smoking/drugs/alcohol, physical activity/fitness, and stress management) was distributed to a nationally representative sample of Australian registered osteopaths in 2016. Separate multivariate logistic regression and Poisson regression models were developed to determine the most important predictors of the discussion of lifestyle factors. Amongst the 992 participating osteopaths, 89%, 49%, 38%, and 18% often discussed physical activity/fitness, stress management, diet/nutrition, and smoking/drugs/alcohol with their patients, respectively. Approximately 30% of participating osteopaths discussed at least three lifestyle topics with patients. Varied predictors were identified for discussing each lifestyle topic. Osteopaths who often discuss diet/nutrition in patient management plans were more likely to often discuss smoking/drugs/alcohol (OR = 14.13), physical activity/fitness (OR = 2.71), and/or stress management (OR = 1.69). In conclusion, lifestyle factors are often discussed with patients as part of osteopathy treatments in the Australian healthcare context. Osteopaths are well positioned to initiate discussions regarding patient lifestyles, and such discussions may be an effective contribution to health promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2007.06.002 Byline: Mavourneen Casey (a), Jon Adams (b), David Sibbritt (c) Keywords: Herbal medicine; Prescription; Concurrent conventional medical practice Abstract: To examine the clinical practices and perceptions of herbalists providing patient care concurrently with conventional medical practice. Author Affiliation: (a) School of Applied Science, Faculty of Science and IT, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah 2258, Australia (b) Epidemiology and Social Medicine Division, School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Australia (c) Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Practice and Population Health, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Level 3 DMB, Royal Newcastle Hospital, Newcastle 2300, Australia Article Note: (footnote) [star] This project has been approved by the University of Newcastle, Human Research Ethics Committee, Approval No. H-(677-1003).

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has become increasingly popular amongst healthcare consumers worldwide. As such, CAM is now an important public health issue with serious implications for healthcare organization and delivery. While previous studies have provided a profile of CAM users, there remains very limited analysis of CAM consumption over time. The purpose of this paper is to describe the changing use of CAM practitioners over time by 11,454 mid-age women in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Over the study period (1996-1998), 10% of women adopted the use of CAM and 9% relinquished CAM. The predominant factor found to be predictive of CAM adoption was changes in health status. Specifically, those women experiencing more illness over time are more likely to adopt CAM than those experiencing no change or better health. CAM relinquishment was associated with use of non-prescription medications, where women were more likely to relinquish CAM if they never used non-prescription medications or if they stopped taking non-prescription medications. This paper constitutes an exploratory investigation into CAM use over time. As such, there is need for further research to provide in-depth examination of the adoption and relinquishment of CAM use over a longer time period. KEYWORDS. Complementary medicine, complementary therapies, longitudinal studies, women's health