Israeli scientists find natural food supplement that could treat anxiety

[Peter1469]

This is a great discovery, as prescription anti-anxiety meds come with lots of side effects.

Israeli scientists find natural food supplement that could treat anxiety

A natural plant-derived food supplement could possibly be used to help reduce anxiety, a new study from Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science has found.

The substance, beta-sitosterol, was shown in the study to reduce anxiety in mice, and was found to produce this effect both by itself and in synergic combination with the antidepressant Prozac.





Building off research from several years ago, the study examined international genomic databases to find existing drugs or compounds that mimicked a certain gene expression that would help induce "calmness." This led to tests involving beta-sitosterol that showed a marked decrease in anxiety.



But what is most notable about these findings is that the mice who were given beta-sitosterol did not display any of the side effects associated with antianxiety medication.



Treating anxiety is always a challenge because anxiety itself is a critical survival tool inherited throughout the evolutionary process. The circuits for anxiety are closely tied with other essential circuits in the brain, relating to various vital functions like memory and awareness, which is why they are often impacted by antianxiety drug side effects.



“One of the major problems with existing antianxiety medications is that they produce side effects, so if beta-sitosterol could help cut down the dosage of such medications, it might potentially also reduce the unwanted side effects,” Dr. Nicolas Panayotis, one of the lead researchers on the study, said in a statement.



Beta-sitosterol is a naturally occurring substance, and can be found in a variety of plants such as almonds, pistachios, various grains and especially avocados. However, these alone do not contain enough beta-sitosterol to produce a calming effect.

[Just AnotherPerson]

The same thing has also been said about Saffron. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25384672/

Excerpt:

Results: In the systematic review, six studies were identified. In the placebo-comparison trials, saffron had large treatment effects and, when compared with antidepressant medications, had similar antidepressant efficacy. Saffron's antidepressant effects potentially are due to its serotonergic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuro-endocrine and neuroprotective effects.


Here is another study. https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.c...and-depression

[Peter1469]

The same thing has also been said about Saffron. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25384672/

Excerpt:

Results: In the systematic review, six studies were identified. In the placebo-comparison trials, saffron had large treatment effects and, when compared with antidepressant medications, had similar antidepressant efficacy. Saffron's antidepressant effects potentially are due to its serotonergic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuro-endocrine and neuroprotective effects.


Here is another study. https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.c...and-depression

I like Saffron, but the real stuff is expensive!

[Just AnotherPerson]

I like Saffron, but the real stuff is expensive!

True, but I find a little goes a long way.

[Peter1469]

If you ever go to Istanbul you can buy it in bulk for cheap at the Grand Bazar.