Male menopause? There’s scant evidence that so-called andropause—low testosterone in aging men—causes depression, says Columbia University psychiatrist Stuart Seidman. Men’s hormonal changes in later life aren’t as drastic as those that women face, he says.
Using the Bean
Small, well-spaced cups of coffee throughout the day are better than a huge mug in the morning, according to a study in the journal Sleep. Even small doses of caffeine ward off the afternoon slump, when the body’s desire for a nap is strongest.
Early Baby Blues
Postpartum depression may often start during a woman’s pregnancy. More than 50 percent of women diagnosed with postpartum blues have symptoms before they give birth, according to an Emory University study.
Sustaining Memory
Adults with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease should watch for vitamin B12 and folate deficiency, a risk factor for poor recall in those over age 75 who carry a gene related to Alzheimer’s. About 15 percent of the general population carries the gene, according to a study in Neuropsychology.
