ergo-log.com

Definition: "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance "

04.01.2022

How dietary flavonoids and carotenoids protect against depression

A diet high in flavonoids such as cyanidin or luteolin and carotenoids such as lycopene and zeaxanthin protects against depression, epidemiological data suggests. This may be because flavonoids and carotenoids increase the activity of neurotransmitters and the cerebral growth factor BDNF in the brain.

Epidemiology
South Korean researchers at Gachon University surveyed 2,201 women aged 45-69 years using standardized questionnaires. Based on the answers, they calculated the intake of various phenols and carotenoids, and determined whether - and if so, to what extent - the women suffered from depression.

Most of the phytochemicals the researchers asked about were not significantly associated with depression, but there were exceptions. The strongest protective factor the South Koreans found was luteolin, a flavonoid in parsley.

Also cyanidin and pelargonidin, two anthocyanins in blueberries and other fruits, protected against depression - as did (+)-catechin, a catechin in green tea.

Of the carotenoids the Koreans looked at, lycopene and zeaxanthin were found to protect against depression. Lycopene is present in tomatoes, zeaxanthin in leafy vegetables.

In silico research
The Koreans suspected that the flavonoids and carotenoids they identified inhibit the enzymes MAO-A and MAO-B. MAO-A and MAO-B are enzymes that deactivate neurotransmitters.

Using computer model simulations, the Koreans were able to demonstrate that a large number of phytochemicals could attach themselves to MAO-A and MAO-B in such a way that they could no longer convert neurotransmitters.

Using computer simulations, the Koreans found yet another potential mechanism of action. There were phytochemicals that could attach to BDNF in silico.

BDNF is a hormone that makes brain cells make new connections. More activity of BDNF means a lower risk of depression.

The researchers suspect that the interaction between substances such as lycopene and BDNF makes the receptor TrkB more sensitive. This might allow the BDNF hormone to work better. The figure at the top of this page explains how this should work.

Conclusion
"The current study is meaningful in that it is the first to analyze the association between the intake of flavonoids and carotenoids and depressive symptoms using epidemiologic data and investigate the mechanism using an in silico analysis", write the Koreans.

"These results suggest that dietary flavonoids and carotenoids can be utilized in the treatment of depressive symptoms."

Source:
Antioxidants 2022, 11(1), 53.

More:
Fruits and vegetables are natural antidepressants 28.04.2020
Healthy diet protects against depression 05.03.2019
Trial: magnesium effective antidepressant 18.11.2017

Archives:
Carotenoids
Depression

Mild depression disappears after taking fish oil for three weeks American psychiatrists reached this conclusion after doing a small study, which they published in Psychiatry Research.	Coffee and caffeine can help prevent depression Women who drink a couple of cups of coffee every day are less likely to develop depression than women who drink no coffee.	People who eat vegetables are happier and more creative People who eat large quantities of fruit and vegetables are happier and more creative than people who only eat small amounts of these.