The goal of this randomized placebo controlled trial is to examine mood disturbance and serum brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in people (age 18-50) with DASS-21 subscale scores \>9. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does curcumin and EGCG supplementation improve mood disturbance symptomology? Does curcumin and EGCG supplementation increase serum BDNF? Researchers will compare intervention versus placebo. Participants will consume an 8-week supplement of both: * 1,330mg/day curcumin * 350mg/day epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Clinical assessments will include phlebotomy (completed at weeks 0 and 8) and questionnaires which will be completed at weeks 0, 4, and 8 to assess changes in mood disorder symptomology and serum BDNF. 3 days of 24-hour diet recalls will be collected at weeks 0, 4 and 8. Daily reminders via Emitrr will be sent daily to ensure adherence to supplementation. This is an 8-week randomized placebo controlled trial looking at mood disturbance and serum BDNF in moderately depressed adults aged 18-50. Participants will be randomized into the intervention group or placebo with the intervention group consuming 1,330mg/day curcumin and 350mg/day EGCG. Baseline mood disturbance questionnaires (DASS-21, GAD-7, GSAQ, IPAQ) and serum BDNF will be taken prior to intervention and again after intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
64
1,330 mg curcumin
350 mg Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Placebo to be consumed after randomization.
Auburn University School of Kinesiology
Auburn, Alabama, United States
RECRUITINGChanges in total distress as measured via DASS-21 total score.
The DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale) Total ranges from 0 to 63, with lower numbers indicating less distress
Time frame: 8-weeks
Changes in serum brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
Serum BDNF will be measured via commercial ELISA kits. Higher levels of serum BDNF are optimal.
Time frame: 8-weeks
Changes in DASS-21 subscales (depression, anxiety, stress).
The DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale) subscales include Depression, Anxiety, and Stress, which range from 0 to 21, with lower numbers indicating less distress
Time frame: 8-weeks
Changes in subjective sleep quality.
Using Global Sleep Assessment Questionnaire includes 11 questions outlined with "During the PAST 4 WEEKS, how often" with answer choices ranging from "never, sometimes, usually and always"
Time frame: 8-weeks
Changes in subjective physical activity.
Using International Physical Activity Questionnaire has 27 questions that span 5 activity domains from "job related physical activity, transportation physical activity, house work and maintenance, recreation and sport as well as time spent sitting" over the past 7-days.
Time frame: 8-weeks
Changes in diet quality.
Using diet recalls over the past 24 hours.
Time frame: 8-weeks
Number of Participants who report daily adherence to supplementation intake
Number of participants that report consuming supplement \>80% of days via daily text messages
Time frame: 8-weeks
Changes in fasting alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Phlebotomy will be obtained while fasted 8+ hours and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) will be measured as part of a comprehensive metabolic panel and reported in mg/dl. Lower concentrations are optimal.
Time frame: 8-weeks
Changes in fasting aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
Phlebotomy will be obtained while fasted 8+ hours and aspartate transferase (AST) will be measured as part of a comprehensive metabolic panel and reported in mg/dl. Lower concentrations are optimal.
Time frame: 8-weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.