Monthly Archives: May 2021

Eicosapentaenoic Acid Reduces Cortisol

Posted on May 31, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) is a fatty acid found in fish oil. Evidence suggests that fish oil may have antidepressant effects, and this may relate to the presence of EPA. Studies have investigated the effects of EPA on depression … Continue reading →

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Schisandra as an Anxiolytic Herb

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Schisandra (Fructus Schisandrae) is a herb that is reported to have a number of medicinal effects and may be a useful treatment for stress and mood disorders. Animal studies have investigated the effects of schisandra and shown that administration of … Continue reading →

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Schisandra chinensis and Scutellaria baicalensis: Anti-Stress Herbs

Posted on May 27, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Schisandra chinensis (magnolia berry or five-flavor-fruit) is a vine belonging to the (Schisandraceae) family of plants. Schisandra grows in regions of China and Russia and it is thought that it has medicinal properties. Scutellaria baicalensis (Baikal or Chinese skullcap) is … Continue reading →

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Fish Oils May Reduce Cortisol Levels

Posted on May 26, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Fish oils have a number of health effects in humans and animals. This relates to the ability of fish to deliver long chain marine fats including eicosapentaenoic acid ((EPA, C20:4m (n-3)) and docosahexaenoic acid ((DHA, C22:6 (n-3)). These long chain … Continue reading →

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Phosphatidylserine Reduces Cortisol

Posted on May 25, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Phosphatidylserine is a normal component of phospholipids in cell membranes. Nutritionally a good source of phosphatidylserine is soya, and many phosphatidylserine supplements are derived from soya. Evidence suggests that phosphatidylserine is able to reduce serum cortisol levels in humans and … Continue reading →

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Catechins Improve Anxiety: The CREB Pathway

Posted on May 24, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Flavonoids are a group of phytochemicals with interesting nutritional properties. They have a number of health effects including the ability to regulate mood. Application of green tea to animals has been shown to improve the spatial learning and memory declines … Continue reading →

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More Evidence of Selenium Deficiencies: New Zealand

Posted on May 21, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Selenium is an essential trace mineral required for the correct functions of cells. In this role selenium forms part of a group of proteins called selenoproteins. One important selenoprotein is glutathione peroxidase, a selenoprotein required as an antioxidant in cells. … Continue reading →

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Gut Microbiota: The Mood Connection

Posted on May 20, 2021 by Robert Barrington

It is understood that certain dietary patterns have a significant influence on the mood of the consumer. For example, consumption of the Mediterranean diet has been shown to decrease the risk of anxiety and depression. This is thought to relate … Continue reading →

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Which Foods Are Associated with Mood Disorders?

Posted on May 19, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Researchers have investigated the effects of food and drink of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. For example, it has been shown that the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of anxiety and depression. Of the foods … Continue reading →

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Are Fruit and Vegetables Protective of Mood Disorders?

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Fruit and vegetable intake is associated with a number of positive health effects. One aspect of the health promoting effects of fruit and vegetables may be a beneficial effect on mental health. For example, one study showed that 5 servings … Continue reading →

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