Impact of Supplementation and Nutritional Interventions on Pathogenic Processes of Mood Disorders: A Review of the Evidence.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the potential role of Coenzyme Q10 in improving depressive symptoms, particularly as an augmentation to antidepressant therapies.
Results Summary
The study found that Coenzyme Q10, along with other supplements, showed evidence for improving depressive symptoms, though the abstract does not specify the magnitude or consistency of these effects. Potential biases and differences in study designs may confound the results.
Population
Individuals with major depressive disorder or variants, particularly those with inadequate response to antidepressant therapies.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L-methylfolate supplementation | decrease | depression | individuals with depression | - | demonstrated antidepressant activity | #1 |
SAMe supplementation | decrease | depression | individuals with depression | - | demonstrated antidepressant activity | #2 |
L-acetylcarnitine | decrease | depression | - | - | exert antidepressant effects | #3 |
alpha-lipoic acid | decrease | depression | - | - | exert antidepressant effects | #4 |
N-acetylcysteine | decrease | depression | - | - | exert antidepressant effects | #5 |
L-tryptophan | decrease | depression | - | - | exert antidepressant effects | #6 |
zinc | decrease | depressive symptoms | - | - | improving depressive symptoms | #7 |
magnesium | decrease | depressive symptoms | - | - | improving depressive symptoms | #8 |
omega-3 fatty acids | decrease | depressive symptoms | - | - | improving depressive symptoms | #9 |
coenzyme Q10 | decrease | depressive symptoms | - | - | improving depressive symptoms | #10 |
abnormal levels of folate | increase | depression | - | - | associated with a higher risk | #11 |
abnormal levels of homocysteine | increase | depression | - | - | associated with a higher risk | #12 |
abnormal levels of SAMe | increase | depression | - | - | associated with a higher risk | #13 |
augmentation of antidepressant medications with various supplements | increase | antidepressant effects | - | - | can potentiate antidepressant effects | #14 |
medical foods, particularly L-methylfolate, and other supplements | decrease | depression | patients with inadequate response to antidepressant therapies | - | may play a role in managing | #15 |
This narrative review was conducted using searches of the PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar databases from inception to November 2019. Clinical trials and relevant articles were identified by cross-referencing major depressive disorder (and/or variants) with the following terms: folate, homocysteine, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), L-acetylcarnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, N-acetylcysteine, L-tryptophan, zinc, magnesium, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, coenzyme Q10, and inositol. Manual reviews of references were also performed using article reference lists. Abnormal levels of folate, homocysteine, and SAMe have been shown to be associated with a higher risk of depression. Numerous studies have demonstrated antidepressant activity with L-methylfolate and SAMe supplementation in individuals with depression. Additionally, the amino acids L-acetylcarnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, N-acetylcysteine, and L-tryptophan have been implicated in the development of depression and shown to exert antidepressant effects. Other agents with evidence for improving depressive symptoms include zinc, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10. Potential biases and differences in study designs within and amongst the studies and reviews selected may confound results. Augmentation of antidepressant medications with various supplements targeting nutritional and physiological factors can potentiate antidepressant effects. Medical foods, particularly L-methylfolate, and other supplements may play a role in managing depression in patients with inadequate response to antidepressant therapies.