Blue-green algae improves quality of life, mood, anxiety and depressive attitude in menopausal women.

[Effects of Klamath Algae extract on psychological disorders and depression in menopausal women: a pilot study].

Alessandro D Genazzani, Elisa Chierchia, C Lanzoni, Susanna Santagni, F Veltri, F Ricchieri, Erika Rattighieri, R E Nappi

Minerva Ginecol

Oct 1, 2010

Sources

0:00 / 0:00

Sign in to access this feature

Create a free account or sign in to use AI summaries, listen to articles, download PDFs, and save to your library.

1,793 views

Abstract

AIM: Menopause transition is able to induce a significant change in the quality of life of women and a growing demand for alternative treatments to hormonal therapy of the psychological and somatic/vasomotor symptoms related to menopausal transition has been observed in these last years. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of a two-month supplementation period with the Klamath algae extract Klamin® on the general and psychological well-being of a group of 30 menopausal women, free from any hormonal therapy. METHODS: Patients were randomly subdivided in 2 groups (15 patients each) and each of them was treated with Alga Klamth extract (Klamin®, Nutrigea, Urbino, Italy) (1600 g/day) or with placebo (vanilla tablets) for 8 weeks. Patients were evaluated both for the hormonal and psychological profiles (Symptom Rating Scale - Italian version [SRT] and Zung Self-Rating Scale) before and after the treatment interval. RESULTS: Both groups of patients were similar in baseline conditions but significant changes were observed after the treatment interval in the group administred with Alga Klamath extracts. Though no hormonal changes occurred after the treatment interval in both groups, only patients under Klamin administration showed both SRT and Zung scales significantly improved, thus reporting a consistent change in their quality of life, for mood, anxiety and depressive attitude. CONCLUSION: Since the Klamath extract did not show steroid-like effects on the hormonal parameters, it could be proposed as valid integration for those women seeking for alternative treatment to hormonal therapy so that to overcome many of the menopausal symptoms.

Affiliation

Dipartimento di Ginecologia e Ostetricia, Centro di Endocrinologia Ginecologica, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italia - [email protected].