On these hot, sunny days of summer, most of us find ourselves in a good state of mind, looking forward to a weekend spent with family and friends, or perhaps an upcoming vacation. But statistics show that 5% of Canadians are currently experiencing a major depressive episode. For this group, sunny thoughts are few and far between, and likely to be even harder to come by as autumn and winter approach.
Researchers found that an omega-3 fatty acid had the same therapeutic effects as Prozac.
While pharmaceutical drugs are still the treatment of choice for most people with depression, ongoing research into nutritional and herbal medicines indicates that there are other effective options. Here are a few of the most recent revelations.
Low mineral levels linked?
UK researchers at the Institute of Health Sciences, University of Reading, report that low levels of selenium were significantly associated with depression among elderly subjects. At the start of the eight-week trial, 29% of subjects showed significant symptoms of depression. Although all of the subjects had selenium levels within the "normal" range, serum selenium levels were still significantly associated with depression. Not a single subject who tested borderline or positive on the hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) rating scale had selenium levels greater than 1.2 mcg. After micronutrient supplementation, significant reductions in depression and significant increases in serum selenium levels were found. "In light of the prevalence of depression among older people living in nursing homes or residential homes, these results are significant," the researchers conclude.
Herbal help from rhodiola
Last year, scientists from Armenian State Medical University reported on a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III clinical trial involving 89 subjects with mild to moderate depression. The subjects who took a standardized extract of Rhodiola rosea experienced a significant improvement in symptoms of depression, insomnia and emotional instability after just six weeks, compared to subjects who received a placebo. No significant adverse effects were reported by the subjects.
EPA on par with Prozac
In another trial, the omega-3 fatty acid EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) was deemed equal to a common drug for depression. The study involved 60 outpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Researchers found that daily supplementation with 1,000 mg of EPA was as effective as Prozac in the alleviation of symptoms over eight weeks.
Furthermore, treatment with the combination of Prozac and EPA yielded even better results from the fourth week of treatment on. In all, 50% of those taking Prozac alone, 56% of those taking EPA alone, and 81% of those taking the combination had at least a 50% decrease in depression symptoms, assessed via the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.
The researchers conclude that, "EPA and fluoxetine [Prozac] had equal therapeutic effects in major depressive disorder. EPA + fluoxetine combination was superior to either of them alone."
Sources: Statistics Canada; Gerontology, 2008 May 8; Australia/New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2008; 42(3): 192-8; Nord J Psychiatry, 2007; 61(5): 343-8
