For this reason, antidepressants have become one of the most widely prescribed classes of drugs in the US over the last 20 years.  The most common of these are the SSRIs, such as Prozac (fluoxetine).  While these medications can help people to live more normal and productive lives, they do come with significant side effects, such as sleep disturbances, loss of libido, weight gain, and even an increase in suicidal ideation.

There is good research about natural alternatives for mild to moderate depression, such as aerobic exercise and St. John’s wort.  Exciting new research out of India has highlighted a safe alternative for major depression: curcumin.  Curcumin is the active compound in the herb turmeric.  This was a relatively small study, involving 60 patients with major depressive disorder.  They were divided into three groups: one group received fluoxetine, 20 mg daily; the second group received curcumin, 1000 mg daily; the third group received a combination of the two.  Outcomes were measured using the Hamilton Depression rating scale.  There was no statistical difference in the response rate among the three groups, and at the end of six weeks, the change in Hamilton score was comparable in all three groups.

This is big news.  Depression is a serious health condition, but the side effects of SSRIs are further complicated by the difficulty that patients have in coming off these medications.  On the contrary, the “side effects” of curcumin include:

• protection against neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s,
• enhanced gastrointestinal health,
• protection of the liver against toxins,
• anti-inflammatory effects from muscles and joints,
• and more.  

One thing to keep in mind about curcumin, however, is that most standardized extracts are poorly absorbed from the intestinal tract.  It is best to use curcumin that is complexed with phosphatidylcholine (such as Curamin [BCM-95–the type used in this study] or Meriva), or used in conjunction with black pepper (piperine).

A last note of caution: if you are currently taking antidepressant medications, do not discontinue them abruptly.  Consult with your prescribing physician about weaning down gradually on the dosage, to avoid withdrawal effects.  It is perfectly safe, however, to start taking curcumin while still on the pharmaceutical antidepressant.

1.  Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial.  Phytother Res. 2013 Jul 6. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5025. [Epub ahead of print]

Yes, once again, it’s my favorite supplement: exercise.  In March 2013, a study published in the journal Menopause found that women with high levels of leisure time physical activity over eight times as likely to experience good sleep quality.  While the authors did not quantify exactly what types or how much physical activity was involved, we can presume that any activity is better than being sedentary.  It’s amazing how much of our leisure time is taken up with electronic screens: computers, TVs, iPads, smartphones… we never have to be without these magical devices that keep our brains engaged, while allowing our bodies to wallow in torpor.

So get out there, and enjoy some walking, biking, swimming, or gardening, and get a better night’s rest tonight.

Physical activity and sleep among midlife women with vasomotor symptoms.  Menopause. Published online March 25, 2013. 

Pomi-T Follow Up…
My article about the beneficial effects of a new botanical supplement, Pomi-T, for prostate cancer patients brought a flood of interested feedback.  However, I have been hard-pressed to find the actual product.  It was produced by a British company called nature Medical Products, and sold out as a response to the publicity about the research study.  An internet search yielded no further reliable information about the availability of Pomi-T or nature Medical Products.  So until we have a source for Pomi-T in the U.S., keep eating your veggies, and look for other standardized supplements for pomegranate, broccoli, green tea, and curcumin (turmeric extract).

Results of a new research study were presented at the 2013 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology that showed a new supplement led to significant lowering of prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in prostate cancer patients.  This was a randomized placebo-controlled trial, which is considered the highest level of scientific evidence available in the medical world.  The supplement, called Pomi-T, is a combination of well-known cancer fighting botanicals, including turmeric, green tea, broccoli, and pomegranate.

This study examined 203 men who had been treated for prostate cancer, but had a relapse of elevated PSA.  Half of the subjects were randomized to receive Pomi-T, and half received a placebo.  After six months, the botanicals group had a 63.8% lower increase in PSA versus the placebo group.  They were also three times as likely to have stable or even lower than baseline PSA levels versus the placebo group.  Furthermore, there were no significant side effects from the supplement.

The medical community, which historically has been skeptical, if not downright antagonistic, towards nutritional supplements, heralded this research for two important reasons.  Firstly, the design and quality of the supplement was closely monitored.  This is important, since many off-the-shelf supplements are questionable in terms of their quality and purity.  Secondly, this study was well designed, and had enough subjects to draw good statistical conclusions.  Many times, when you read about “clinical research” on a supplement manufacturer’s website, this is based on a handful of subjects, with no placebo control.

Remember, too, that any supplement is an addition to a healthy lifestyle: good diet and regular exercise.  But if you are dealing with prostate cancer, this supplement looks like a good fit.  If you can’t find it, you can find supplemental forms of each of the components; just be sure to get standardized products from reputable manufacturers.  When it comes to cancer, don’t bet your life on the cheap stuff off the shelf at Wal-Mart.

2013 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Abstract 5008. Presented June 3, 2013.