November Health News: Nintendo’s Device, Physical Activities and Depression, V26 Slimming Coffee

1.  FDA Warning of V26 Slimming Coffee Product

The FDA recently warned that V26 Slimming Coffee Product, a weight loss product, contains Sibutramine, a substance withdrawn from the market since 2010.  Sibutramine might increase blood pressure and pulse rate in patients with cardiovascular diseases or stroke. 

References: FDA.gov, MPR Daily Dose

2.  Physical Activities Decrease Symptoms of Depression 

For many years, studies have found that an association exists between exercise and symptoms of depression.  Recently, a long term study from Dr. Snehal M. Pinto Pereira and colleagues at the University College London, England, showed how frequent physical activities lower the symptoms of depression.  The result of this study was published in JAMA Psychiatry. 

In this study, 11,000 people born in the same week in Britain in 1958 were followed periodically until they were 50 year old.  Not only were frequent exercises found to be tied to a lower incidence of depression, but starting to exercise at any age was found to decrease by 19% the likelihood of developing depression five years later.  They also found that depression was associated with lowered physical activity.  Overall, the effect of frequent physical activities in depressive patients is a positive one.

3.  Nintendo’s Device 

Over the past four or five years, the number of wearable devices to track fitness has exploded.   From Fitbit’s “Fitbit One” to Jawbone’s “Up” to Nike’s “FuelBand” and more, a plethora of products are out there to help us track our exercise (hours, distance, calories, etc.).  In addition, recognizing the importance of sleep (and consumer interest in sleep information), many devices include the ability to track hours of sleep.  

Upping its game in this arena, Nintendo (of Gameboy and Wii fame) revealed last week a non-wearable sensor device (it sits nearby one’s bed) that monitors sleep patterns.  Nintendo’s CEO shared that the device, through monitoring breathing, body movement and heart rate, is intended also to assist the consumer in decreasing fatigue and increasing his or her energy during the day.  For now, everyone is awaiting the fine print to learn how this is supposed to work, whether there are any data on actual outcomes, and, of course, how much we will be paying for the device!