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Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Vitamin B6, consisting of six chemical compounds (pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, pyridoxel and their phosphoryl derivatives pyridoxine 50-phosphate, pyridoxamine 50-phosphate, and pyridoxal 50-phosphate (PLP)), contains rich in red pepper, garlic, nuts and fish. PLP, the most active form, serves as an enzyme promoter for more than 140 different biochemical reactions, such as those related to amino acids, neurotransmitters, heme biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, and glycogen breakdown. Decreased vitamin B6 (PLP) may be associated with monoamine depletion and neurotransmitter impairment. Furthermore, the kynurenine pathway, which includes two PLP-dependent enzymes, which is the major metabolic pathway of tryptophan, is associated with depression. Vitamin B6 depletion can cause an unregulated neurotransmitter system and nerve dysfunction through an imbalance of tryptophan metabolites using kynurenine.

 

There are several reports of a link between the vitamin B6 for depression. Hvas and colleagues showed that low plasma levels of PLP are associated with depressive symptoms in 140 study participants. A seven-year study of 3503 adults aged 65 and over showed that higher overall intake of vitamin B6 (dietary and supplemental intake) was associated with a lower likelihood of depression. Furthermore, higher dietary intake of vitamin B6 was associated with a lower incidence of depression in women in a three-year study among 1793 Adults aged 68 years. In addition, some systematic reviews on the effects on vitamin B6 alone mood, or a combined intervention of vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, magnesium, calcium and iron, on mood supported the idea that a supplement with B6 vitamins could Relieve mood symptoms. For example, Williams and colleagues reported the beneficial effects of the vitamin B6 supplement on depression in premenopausal women. Young people and colleagues have also discovered that the addition of B vitamins may alleviate mood symptoms in healthy adults and adults at risk for mental disorders. (The results of the study were published in Nutrients 2020 magazine, 12-03437).

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Dry saffron extract

The benefits of saffron as an antidepressant are well documented. Nearly 150 volatile and non-volatile compounds are obtained from chemical analysis of this plant. Less than 50 components that have been clarified and identified so far have shown phytochemical properties. The main bioactive compounds identified are Spernell, Croquine and Picrocrocin, which are responsible for its aroma as well as its bitter taste. There are clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of saffron in mild to moderate depression. Studies have reported that saffron was more effective than placebo and at least equivalent to the therapeutic doses of imipramine and fluoxetine. According to Srivastava et al., Two active ingredients of C. sativus L., which are curcumin and sapranel, have shown antidepressant effects. (information source​)

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Dry extract of American ginseng

Ginseng effectively regulates the immune response and hormonal changes due to stress and thus maintains homeostasis. In addition to suppressing the occurrence of psychological illnesses like anxiety and depression, ginseng also prevents stress-related physiological illnesses. Recent findings have found that ginseng is involved in adjusting the axis of the hypothalamus - the pituitary gland - the adrenal gland and hormone control, thus producing beneficial effects on the heart and brain, and in cases of bone disease, as well as alleviating erectile dysfunction. Ginseng shows excellent stress regulation, compared to that shown by other adaptogens. This effectiveness as an anti-stress substance has been proven through various conditional behavioral stress tests, such as swimming tests and immobilization. In vivo studies have also shown that ginseng has excellent anti-stress effects, compared to appropriate controls. (information source​)​

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Modern studies show that ginseng contains a large number of active ingredients, including ginsenosides, ginseng polypeptides, ginseng polysaccharides and so on. Among them, ginsenosides are considered to be major active ingredients in the physiological activity of ginseng, which affect the nervous system, cardiovascular system, immune system and so on. Ginseng polysaccharides, as an additional bioactive ingredient in ginseng, also have many biological activities, such as immune regulation, anti-cancer, anti-depressant and antioxidant. (information source​)

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Vitamin B3 (Nicotinic acid)

Vitamins play a major role in health and their deficiency is related to the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Vitamin deficiency can affect memory function, cognitive impairment and dementia. In particular, vitamin B1, B3, B6, B9 and B12 are essential for nerve function and deficiency has been linked to depression. In fact, low B vitamin intake is associated with adolescent mental health and behavior. In the 1950s, niacin (or nicotinic acid) was involved in the treatment of schizophrenia, mania, depression, benign depression and stress anxiety. Indeed, many studies have shown improvement in depression and anxiety responses following niacin supplements. In recent years, in addition to niacin effectively treating illusion, limited studies have established the link between niacin and depression. (information source​)

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Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens)

The Mucuna, also known as velvet beans, has been used for centuries by Ayurvedic herbs for overall health. Mucuna provides support for brain function, muscle health and libido. Mucuna has been shown to have varying effects. It increases tissue elasticity and improves coordination. Mucuna can also raise testosterone levels, which in turn can lead to increased muscle mass and strength. It also supports the nervous and reproductive systems in the body. (information source​)

 

Mucuna seeds are known to have dopaminergic action and have a number of therapeutic applications in folk medicine to cure or relieve a wide range of diseases including Parkinson’s. (information source​)

 

In vitro and animal experiments of mucuna extracts have revealed the presence of substances exhibiting a wide range of pharmacological effects, including anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, protective and antioxidant properties, probably due to the presence of L-. Dopa, the precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine (Misra and Wagner, 2007). (information source​)

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Amino acid L- Glutamine

Glutamine is an amino acid (a building block for proteins), which is found naturally in the body. Glutamine is produced in the muscles and is distributed by the blood to the organs that need it. It is also used for depression, mood, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, weight loss and improving exercise performance. (information source​)

 

Most beliefs about glutamine do not stem from studies that glutamine itself works, but from GABA results on anxiety. GABA is a neurotransmitter created from glutamine that is known to have anxiety-reducing benefits. GABA itself is affected by some anxiety medications in order to produce these anxiety symptoms.  (information source​)

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Rhodiola extract

Traditional folk medicine used R. rosea to increase physical endurance, work output, longevity, resistance to high altitude diseases and treatment of fatigue, depression, anemia, impotence, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, infections and disorders of the nervous system (information source​)

 

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Monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii)

Monk fruit, also known as Lu Han Guo or Swing fruit, is a small round fruit native to southern China. It has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine as an aid and digestion, and now it is also used for sweetening food and beverages. (information source​)

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