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Low Ultra-Processed Foods Diet May Ease Depression Symptoms
Confirmed
In Short: In a small pilot trial, researchers found that people diagnosed with depression had lower symptom scores when following a diet low in ultra-processed foods compared to their usual diet.
Participants were randomly assigned to start with one of two diets. The study involved nearly 500 patients, with an average age of approximately 44, and they had lived with depression for an average of nearly 13 years.
The trial recorded lower depression scores during the low-ultra-processed-food period than during the usual-diet period, as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Average PHQ-9 scores were 12.8 at the start of the study, compared with 8.68 during the low-ultra-processed-food diet.
The reported dietary effect concerns the difference between the two diet periods, rather than attributing the entire improvement from baseline to reducing ultra-processed foods. The trial was small and unblinded, meaning participants knew which diet they were following, which could have influenced the results.
In a separate study, Silexan, a preparation derived from lavender, was found to be significantly more effective than placebo after 8 weeks for five of nine symptoms assessed with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), including sadness, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, and lassitude.
The investigators conducted a preplanned exploratory analysis of individual MADRS items to better understand which depressive symptoms were driving overall benefit. The most pronounced improvements with Silexan were observed in symptoms central to major depressive disorder (MDD), including depressed mood, anhedonia, and loss of energy.
Even so, the investigators said the analysis provides additional insight into how Silexan may affect specific symptoms of MDD. The researchers noted that MDD is highly heterogeneous, with patients presenting different constellations of symptoms.
Silexan not only reduced anxiety symptoms but also improved co-morbid depression in previous randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
What's confirmed
- Participants were randomly assigned to start with one of two diets. The study involved nearly 500 patients, with an average age of approximately 44, and they had lived with depression for an average of nearly 13 years.
- The trial recorded lower depression scores during the low-ultra-processed-food period than during the usual-diet period, as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Average PHQ-9 scores were 12.8 at the start of the study, compared with 8.68 during the low-ultra-processed-food diet.
- The reported dietary effect concerns the difference between the two diet periods, rather than attributing the entire improvement from baseline to reducing ultra-processed foods. The trial was small and unblinded, meaning participants knew which diet they were following, which could have influenced the results.
- In a separate study, Silexan, a preparation derived from lavender, was found to be significantly more effective than placebo after 8 weeks for five of nine symptoms assessed with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), including sadness, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, and lassitude.
- The investigators conducted a preplanned exploratory analysis of individual MADRS items to better understand which depressive symptoms were driving overall benefit. The most pronounced improvements with Silexan were observed in symptoms central to major depressive disorder (MDD), including depressed mood, anhedonia, and loss of energy.
- Even so, the investigators said the analysis provides additional insight into how Silexan may affect specific symptoms of MDD. The researchers noted that MDD is highly heterogeneous, with patients presenting different constellations of symptoms.
- Silexan not only reduced anxiety symptoms but also improved co-morbid depression in previous randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.