Why would this Saffron help with the feeling of depression?

The cause of depression for each person can be entirely different. It is easy to determine the cause of depression when you lose your job, with the loss of a loved one or some other life circumstance. The depression can linger and become worse in time, as many of us know. There is not a drug or supplement made than can reverse the life circumstance that may have caused the depression, we can only attempt to address what the depression is ravaging within the body. 

When depression begins or remains for an extended period of time, there are a few things that begin to change within the body and this is where an antidepressant or specific supplement can help.

Having protection with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory assistance, serotonergic balance, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis modulating properties as well as neuroprotective effects, would be required of any drug or supplement that hopes to give relief to a person with depression.

Antioxidant Effects – Major depression is associated with elevated levels of oxidative stress, as well as a reduced capacity of antioxidant defenses. Antioxidant enzymes, especially superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, and catalase (CAT) will be diminished to a large degree. You will also find increased oxidative stress with malondialdehyde (MDA). This increased oxidative stress with depression increases inflammation, diminishes immune response, disrupts neurotransmitter balance and plays a role in neurodegeneration.

The Saffron used in Optimum Solace has a specific constituent base; Crocetin, Crocin, Pierocrocin and Safranal.

Safranal and Crocin increase CAT.

All four constituents of Optimum Solace increase SOD levels as well as glutathione availability.

In the Saffron studies, Saffron was shown to lower lipid peroxidation, specifically MDA, it lowered the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, as well as 8-iso-prostaglandin.

The four constituents of Optimum Solace will each have their own unique antioxidant properties but their potency is greatest when delivered with all four constituents.

Anti-inflammatory Effects – In 2006, I first wrote about the relationship between the increased levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and depression. Over the past few years a study has shown an increase of IL-6 precedes depression. Until that study was published it was always a theory of which would come first. Much like; which came first the chicken or the egg? Now that we know the inflammatory marker IL-6 must be high before depression starts, it gives the potential road map for a more effective option.

Depression is also associated with increased levels of C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a). One action of antidepressants, when successful is the reduction of C-reaction protein as well as TNF-a. This is likely why inflammatory diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, digestive diseases have a significant co-morbidity with depression. This function would also be why, when treating hepatitis C with cytokine therapy depression is rather common.

The constituents of Optimum Solace Crocin and Crocetin have strong anti-inflammatory effects.

Crocin has a dual inhibitory activity against COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes and inhibits the production of prostaglandin E (2) [PGE (2)].

Arthritis suffers will likely have elevated serum levels of TNF-a, IL-1β, nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), IL-6, COX-2 and PGE(2). The Crocin in Optimum Solace effectively neutralizes these substances.  

With colitis, Crocin decreases mRNA expression of TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-6, interferon-y (IFN-y), NF-kB, COX-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).

The Saffron used in Optimum Solace has been shown to; make a shift towards T-helper (Th2) immunity. The Th2 response of humoral immunity causing an elevation of CD19(+) B cells and IL-4 cytokine. Of note, the saffron did not influence T-helper 1 (Th1) cytokines, IL-2 and IFN-y. The Th2 up-regulation will likely be beneficial in depression with the association of over-activation of Th1 immunity.

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal-Modulation Effects (HPA)– The majority of depressed people will exhibit HPA hyperactivity and elevated cortisol levels. Depression is also associated with elevated secretion of corticotrophin-releasing hormone and impairment in the negative feedback responsiveness to glucocorticoids. This phenomenon is also known as glucocorticoid resistance. It is not uncommon to have an increased size and activity of the pituitary and adrenal glands with depression present. As part of this dysregulation within the HPA, you will normally find a decrease of neurotransmitter availability, oxidative stress, and inflammation which leads to further depression as well as neurodegeneration.

The Saffron used with Optimum Solace suggests it has a role in lowering the HPA response to stress.

The constituents of Optimum Solace, Crocin and Safranal prevent elevations of plasma corticosterone levels.

Using a human trial with females; just smelling Saffron for 20 minutes significantly lowered cortisol levels and reduced anxiety.

Neuroprotective Effects – Major depression, as opposed to mild to moderate depression, is associated with a compromised neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity and lower levels of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). Most antidepressants will increase BDNF when treatment is successful.

The Crocin constituent of Optimum Solace shows an increase of cAMP (CREB), as well as BDNF. Higher concentrations of VGF (a neuropeptide) in the hippocampus were also observed.

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