effect of whole blueberry powder consumption on depression in a central louisiana population

Conditions: Depression; Depression, Anxiety; Inflammation

Summary: this pilot study aims to measure the effects of an intervention of 22.5 grams of freeze-dried whole blueberry powder in water drunk daily. measures are on outcomes of depression, biological markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, and microbial populations in the intestines.

a 29 week double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover intervention assessing the effect of a blueberries on behavioral symptoms related to depression, biological markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, and gut microbiome measures. a total of 45 participants will be randomly assigned to either a blueberry-first or placebo-first group; participants will take 22.5 grams of either freeze-dried blueberry powder or matched placebo powder mixed with water daily for 12 weeks. this period is followed by a 4 week washout period at the beginning of which all participants will stop the assigned intervention. after this washout the participants will start their crossover intervention.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * participants with a stable diagnosis of major depressive disorder (\>1 year prior to enrollment) * males and females 18-70 years of age * subjects with sleep disruptions * subjects currently prescribed to a non-antipsychotic mono-pharmacotherapies * english speaking subjects only (all evaluations are in english) subjects with the following inflammatory disorders that exhibit low to moderate symptoms: * hypertension (mild=140/80-160/90; moderate= 160/90-180/100) * asthma (requiring 2 or fewer inhalations of rescue inhaler per day) * gastroesophageal reflux disease * irritable bowel syndrome (controlled, \<3 bowel movements a day) * arthritis (controlled) * chronic stomach ulcers (controlled) * obesity bmi \<40 * chronic pain * fibromyalgia * chronic fatigue syndrome * type i or type ii diabetes (controlled) * subjects that are compliant with current treatment regimens and clinic appointments * subjects taking intermittent or infrequent doses of acetaminophen or nsaids * subjects who currently smoke or have a history of smoking exclusion criteria: subjects with current diagnosis or history of the following conditions; or subjects currently on medication for any of the following conditions: * severe cardiovascular disease; heart attack/pacemaker * cancer * autoimmunity disorders * crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis * alzheimer's disease * parkinson's disease * multiple sclerosis * uncontrolled diabetes: type i or ii * severe irritable bowel disease (\>3 stools per day) * hypertension (severe \>180/100) * hypotension (\<100/60) * epilepsy * autism spectrum disorder * schizophrenia * psychosis/psychotic symptoms * uncontrolled hypo/hyperthyroidism * women who are pregnant, nursing, lactating, or planning to become pregnant within timeline of study * subjects who are blind or deaf * subjects who are allergic to blueberries or other similar foods or drinks (e.g. wine), or subjects who are allergic to red or blue food dye agents * subjects who do not like the taste of blueberries * subjects who do not want to disclose information related to their major depressive disorder * subjects who do not want to be subjected to blood draws * subjects who consume \>4 cups of blueberries per week or other foods/drinks with significant polyphenol content * subjects supplementing with elderberry syrup \>4 times per week * subjects who have a planned surgery during the timeline of the study * subjects prescribed to antipsychotics * subjects using acetaminophen or nsaids (drugs targeting pro-inflammatory paths) chronically or exceeding recommended daily doses * subjects chronically on decadron, dexamethasone, or prednisone; or other oral steroids * subjects on any augmenting agents (the following is not an inclusive list): abilify (aripiprazole), risperdal (risperidone), zyprexa (olanzapine), seroquel (quetiapine), clozaril(clozapine), symbyax (olanzapine/fluoxetine), geodon (ziprasidone) * subjects supplementing with devil's claw, fenugreek, guar gum, panax ginseng, and siberian ginseng * subjects who have a history of suicidal ideation or suicide attempt * subjects with a history or record of physical violence toward self or others * subjects who will jeopardize their job if they miss work for appointments * subjects with a history of addiction, except cigarettes

Keywords: depression inflammation anxiety blueberries