A team of Canadian researchers at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has developed a natural supplement that helps prevent postpartum blues and reduce common symptoms of postpartum depression post-surgery.
The study was published in the Lancet journal eClinicalMedicine which stated that among 100s of participants who received four doses of the natural supplement within several days after childbirth, two-thirds experienced either no symptoms or only minor symptoms of postpartum blues.
“Both postpartum blues and later symptoms of depression were lower in women who received the supplement,” said Jeffrey Meyer, the senior author and senior scientist at the CAMH. “Providing this supplement in the first few days after giving birth is a crucial window to avoid depressive symptoms which is important given there is considerable risk that they may recur and have a lifelong impact.”
According to the study, postpartum blues, commonly known as ‘baby blues’ is a common syndrome characterized by feelings of sadness, crying episodes, anxiety, restlessness, decreased appetite, and irritability.
The supplement, branded Blues Away is set to hit the shelves in the US soon and will be available on Amazon’s US site.
However, Meyer said the supplement is also being introduced to other global markets, including Canada, with the speed of approvals contingent on each country’s regulatory mandates and review processes.
“Health Canada has been approached, but the issue is that they need to see the study, which of course just came out today,” he said. “We certainly hope that Health Canada will approve the product, but we’ll hear their feedback and of course try to address their questions.”
