Yoga plus a supplement linked to fewer depression symptoms
Depression scores fell 45.1% with yoga plus astaxanthin, versus 28.5% with yoga and 10.9% with the supplement alone, in postmenopausal women.
12 weeks
Limit: Depression-score changes in controls were not reported
Edited by Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
In a randomized controlled trial, 100 sedentary postmenopausal women aged 55–60 with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms were assigned to control, Hatha yoga, astaxanthin supplementation or both for 12 weeks. Yoga sessions lasted 75 minutes, three times weekly. The supplement dose was 12 milligrams daily.
The combined group had the greatest reported improvements. Depression scores fell 45.1%, compared with 28.5% for yoga alone and 10.9% for the supplement alone. Menopause symptom scores fell 41.1%, and menopause-specific quality-of-life scores fell 50.0% in the combined group. The combination also produced the largest improvements in blood markers of oxidative stress, an imbalance that can damage cells. Both yoga groups showed increased activity of some genes linked to mitochondria, the cell’s energy-producing structures.
Why it matters
Menopause is associated with depressive symptoms and oxidative stress. The trial explored a non-drug approach to these psychological and biological changes later in life.
Caveats
The trial covered 12 weeks in sedentary women aged 55–60 with mild-to-moderate symptoms; it does not establish effects in other groups. The abstract does not report adverse events or depression-score changes in controls.
Where the evidence stands
Astaxanthin
- 55 independent labs in 19 countries
- 14 findings against
- 7 trials, 4 with no results posted
- Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China and others
- 32 of 224 findings with company ties
- 1 of 7 trials sponsored by its developers
Hatha yoga
- 5 independent labs in 4 countries
- Funders: University of Minnesota and 5 more
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