Mood-related disorders such as anxiety, stress, and depression are becoming actual health and social emergency. The World Health Organization predicted that in 2030 the impact of mental illness in the world would exceed that of cardiovascular diseases (currently considered the leading cause of death globally). But already today, the data show that these disorders constitute the first cause of disability, a record also achieved due to the health and economic crisis following the recent Covid-19 pandemic.
As a direct effect, the market has registered a growing interest in people searching for natural solutions in the post-health emergency period. That can support cognitive functions, improve sleep quality and, more generally, safeguard mental well-being, as in the case of mood supplements and anxiety and stress supplements.
As already pointed out, the data on the prevalence of depressive disorders, relating to the years immediately preceding the pandemic, outlined an already worrying picture. In fact, in 2017, the World Health Organization reported depression in more than 320 million people worldwide, corresponding to 4.4% of the global population.
A European survey conducted between 2013 and 2015 reported an incidence of 6.4% of people affected by depression, with evidence of a greater prevalence among the female population (7.7%) than among men (4.9%). In addition, the data suggest that those most affected by depression are the elderly, people born outside the European Union, those living in densely populated areas, individuals with chronic diseases and who perform little physical activity, and people with lower levels of education and income.
Font: Società Italiana di Neuropsicofarmacologia, “Anxiety and depression during the covid-19 pandemic: useful work tools”, ECM webinar reports 25 March – 18 November 2021
But what has been the impact of Covid-19 on the spread of disorders related to stress and depression? Thousands of studies have been carried out in this regard; one of the first took into account the United States and showed an increase of about three times in depressive symptoms (27.8% during the pandemic compared to 8.5% in 2019). Specifically, there was an increase in mild signs of 2.6 times, moderate ones of 3.7 times, and severe ones of 7.5 times: alarming data to indicate a more significant traumatic trend than severe collective traumas such as September 11, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina.
As for Italy, a survey conducted on 2,766 participants highlighted how 32% of subjects had high depressive symptoms and 19% high anxious symptoms, compared to 6% of Italian subjects investigated in the three years 2015-2018 who had reported suffering from these disorders.
Font: Società Italiana di Neuropsicofarmacologia, “Anxiety and depression during the covid-19 pandemic: useful work tools”, ECM webinar reports 25 March – 18 November 2021
The reasons for this alarming increase are numerous. They vary from causes related to the effects of COVID, social isolation and fear of infection, the loss of a relative due to the disease, and the economic crisis after the emergency. A series of contributing factors directly associated with the onset and aggravation of symptoms such as stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, so as led to talk of an “emotional pandemic,” a sort of health emergency parallel to that of Covid-19 that explains the consequent increase in requests from consumers for supplements for mood disorders.
The post-pandemic period was marked by people’s interest in the care of the general health of their bodies, mainly using natural products. That resulted in growth in the sector linked to the production and sale of vitamins, minerals, and food supplements: specifically, there was a 67% increase in launches of nutraceutical products in the period April 2020 – March 2021 compared to the period 2016 – 2017.
For example, according to market surveys, 27% of consumers in Germany say they use supplements as their first remedy for mental well-being.
Based on these trends, the research and development laboratories of Biofarma Group have developed a supplement for stress and anxiety, able to guarantee the normal functioning of cognitive abilities. Its strength is based on the synergistic action of three essential components: citicoline, lemon balm, and zinc.
Citicoline (Cognizin®) works by promoting the normal functioning of the nervous system and supporting cognitive functions such as memory and concentration – often put to the test by situations of anxiety, stress, and depression and – through the maintenance of normal levels of acetylcholine. These benefits are demonstrated and supported by scientific evidence: one study, in particular, observed the effect of administering 550 mg of Cognizin® per day, for 12 weeks, on a sample of 100 people aged between 50 and 85 years. The study’s results showed an improvement in the memory performance of the subjects investigated, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of the component in helping older subjects in case of mnemonic problems related to aging. These results are essential, especially considering that, as the data show, this population segment was more affected by mood-related disorders.
Further investigation has also demonstrated the effectiveness of citicoline, even when administered in smaller doses. Specifically, there were effects on the attention performance of 60 healthy women aged 40 to 60. The women were divided into three groups: the first received 250 mg of citicoline, the second 500 mg, and the third was only one placebo. After 28 days of daily supplementation, participants in both groups treated with the component showed a significantly better ability to produce correct responses to the tests in the study.
Citicoline can also improve communication between neurons, support visual function, and protect neural structures from free radical damage.
On the other hand, the Lemon balm is used historically and simultaneously as a natural mood stabilizer and support for cognitive functions. The capabilities of this component have been investigated through numerous clinical studies that have demonstrated its action starting from a dosage of 300 mg. One, in particular, observed the effects of a standardized preparation of lemon balm Officinalis through two trials conducted on samples of young adults. In both cases, the results showed that active lemon balm treatments improved participants’ mood and/or cognitive performance. A further investigation wanted to deepen the effects of the plant on subjects placed in a condition of psychological stress induced by the laboratory. The results confirmed that melissa officinalis improved the adverse effects on mood caused by the induced stress, with a significant increase in calm self-assessment and a reduction in alert self-assessment. In addition, after ingestion of the compound, a considerable increase in the speed of mathematical processing was observed.
For the formulation of the product, Bluenesse® was specifically used, an extract of lemon balm that gives the supplement the ability to support cognitive performance, improving concentration, mental attention, and working memory. In addition, it provides a calm and positive mood and improves the ability to cope with occasional stress.
Finally, an essential role within the nutraceutical composition is certainly played by zinc, whose deficiency is associated with greater severity of depressive symptoms.
Numerous clinical studies have considered and observed the effectiveness of its intake. One of these, conducted on 44 patients suffering from major depressive disorder, analyzed the effects of this component in addition to conventional therapies. The results showed its effectiveness as adjuvant support of traditional treatments for treating a depressive disorder in patients who took zinc compared to those treated with a placebo.
Therefore, the product developed by Biofarma Group aims to prevent all problems related to a zinc deficiency, particularly those related to the mood sphere, as well as contribute to the normal functioning of cognitive abilities and protect cells from oxidative stress.
The efficiency of citicoline, lemon balm, and zinc is combined in an innovative supplement for stress and anxiety. Able to support the regular exercise of cognitive functions: a product available in dispersible form or gel in a practical stick that becomes an essential daily ally to take care of your mental well-being.
Edited by:
Antonella Venuti: R&D Manager
Valentina Milite: R&D Food Supplement
Mencacci C., Cerveri G., Cibra C., Marasco M., Grossi C., Porcellana M., Morganti C., Di Bernardo I., Percudani M., Garavaglia V., Venturi V., Belloni G. C., Caricasole V., Artioli P., “Anxiety and depression during the covid-19 pandemic: useful work tools”, ECM webinar reports 25 March – 18 November 2021
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