Supplementary approaches to perinatal depression: a review of pathogenesis, herbal interventions, and dietary supplements
Quancheng Yang, Yi Lv, Shenrong Gao, Yu Zhang, Xuejia Zhai
TL;DR
This review explores the causes of perinatal depression and evaluates the safety and effectiveness of herbal and dietary supplements as potential treatments.
Contribution
The paper provides a critical review of the current evidence for natural interventions in perinatal depression, highlighting gaps in safety and efficacy data.
Findings
Herbal remedies like saffron and supplements like vitamin D show some promise but have inconsistent efficacy.
Limited long-term safety data and potential interactions with perinatal physiology remain significant concerns.
Rigorous trials are needed to validate the safety and effectiveness of natural interventions for perinatal depression.
Abstract
Although perinatal depression (PND) has garnered increasing attention, few specific pharmacological treatments exist, particularly for breastfeeding mothers concerned about antidepressant safety. The misconception that “natural is harmless” merits caution; herbal remedies and dietary supplements should be regarded as supplementary interventions pending robust safety evidence. This review summarizes recent advances in PND pathogenesis (neurotransmitter dysregulation, inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and microbiota alterations) and emerging drug development strategies, alongside clinical evidence for herbal and dietary supplements. Randomized controlled trial (RCT) findings reveal that while interventions like saffron and vitamin D show promise, significant limitations persist, including inconsistent efficacy, limited long-term safety data, and potential interactions with perinatal…
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Taxonomy
TopicsMaternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior · Pregnancy and Medication Impact