Researchers claim anti-inflammatory agents could work to combat symptoms of depression. According to a new study, patients may have better outcomes if they receive antidepressant treatment in combination with aspirin, paracetamol, statins, or antibiotics.The study's findings were originally published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.
Experts say many people who are clinically depressed do not have a positive response to talk therapy and the drugs currently available to treat this condition. What's more, many patients also experience the side effects of these drugs.
In recent years, there has been a growing body of evidence that suggests increased inflammation can increase the risk of developing a severe form of depression. However,clinical trials have yielded inconclusive results and have been unable to determine how these anti-inflammatory agents can treat depression.
That is why researchers of the new study wanted to investigate if anti-inflammatory agents can work when used in combination with antidepressant treatment or on their own. The team analysed 30 relevant controlled trials for their investigation.
Data revealed these agents were 52 per cent more likely to reduce symptoms of depression and 79 per cent more likely to eliminate symptoms of the condition. "The results of this systematic review suggest that anti-inflammatory agents play an antidepressant role in patients with major depressive disorder and are reasonably safe," authors of the study stated.
Another study, published in the journal Depression and Anxiety, found chocolate could offer relief from depression symptoms and even improve one's mood.
"This study provides some evidence that consumption of chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, may be associated with reduced odds of clinically relevant depressive symptoms. However further research is required to clarify the direction of causation it could be the case that depression causes people to lose their interest in eating chocolate, or there could be other factors that make people both less likely to eat dark chocolate and to be depressed," study lead author Dr Sarah Jackson told a news portal.
Adding, "Should a causal relationship demonstrating a protective effect of chocolate consumption on depressive symptoms be established, the biological mechanism needs to be understood to determine the type and amount of chocolate consumption for optimal depression prevention and management."
Physical activity could also be used as an effective tool to combat depression, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. "It's definitely worth taking note that if you're currently active, you should sustain it. If you're not physically active, you should initiate the habit. This review shows promising evidence that the impact of being active goes far beyond the physical," the authors of the study stated.
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