Loading...
Postpartum blues occur in about 75% of women, typically peaking on postpartum day 5 and usually disappearing by day 10. Women who experience severe postpartum blues are more likely to develop postpartum depression, which develops in about 13% of all women. Immediately following childbirth, a woman's estrogen and progesterone levels plummet: This leads to marked elevation in brain levels of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), which is one mediator of postpartum depression.
Researchers created a dietary supplement (consisting of tryptophan, tyrosine, and blueberry juice) to counter the effects of postpartum elevated MAO-A levels. The open-label supplement was given to 21 women on postpartum days 3, 4, and 5; another 20 matched women served as control…