Physician Selling a Supplement for Mood Symptoms in Early Postpartum That Doesn’t Work

Despite media hype, a new supplement drink that doesn’t block depressive signals in the brain is not the key to beating the baby blues, according to a new study. The product, which costs $79.95 for a full dose, will be available to buy on April 11th and has been shown in trials to not reduce symptoms of post partum depression for up to six months after use. It doesn’t blunt the effects of a protein called MAO-A which interferes with mood-boosting hormones in the brain, as was hoped.

The new supplement is based on findings recently published in the journal eClinicalMedicine by researchers at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada, affiliated with the University of Toronto. Jeffrey Meyer, M.D, is the guy foisting this sugary drink on mothers. He is funded by Exeltis USA Inc, a pharmaceutical company in New Jersey.

So what did Mr. Meyer discover in his studies of his sugary blueberry juice drink for new mothers. Taken form the study is the following:

Findings

Between January 2019 and December 2022, participants took supplement (n = 51) or placebo (n = 52). There was no significant effect on primary outcome MIP on visual analogue scale for depressed mood (mean difference = −0.39 mm, 95% CI: −6.42 to 5.65 mm). Stein Maternity Blues scores, exploratory PPB measure, was lower in the active group (effect size 0.62; median, interquartile range (IQR): active 2.00 (IQR 1, 4); placebo 4.00 (IQR 1.5, 6); regression with general linear model, supplement effect, β coefficient = −1.50 (95%: CI −2.60, −0.40), p = 0.008; effect of CES-D crying category before supplement, p = 0.03–0.00000023). Twenty-six and 40 different adverse events occurred within 25% and 42% of supplement and placebo cases respectively (Chi-Square, p = 0.06).

Interpretation

The primary outcome was negative for effect on depressed mood induction, however the supplement moderately reduced PPB.

In other words, the sugary concoction failed to meet its primary objective, to prevent the induction of depressed mood in postpartum women. Despite the failure, the media is abuzz about this sugary drink. Better to eat some whole, fresh blueberries along with some nuts and seeds – it’ll provide what the supplement does (antioxidants, tryptophan, tyrosine), and more, and without the high dose of sugar.