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The Effect of Chia Seed Consumption on Depression and Sleep Quality

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The Effect of Chia Seed Consumption on Depression and Sleep Quality THE EFFECT OF CHIA CONSUMPTION ON DEPRESSION AND SLEEP QUALITY A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science In Agriculture By Emily N. Tai 2020 SIGNATURE PAGE THESIS: THE EFFECT OF CHIA CONSUMPTION ON DEPRESSION AND SLEEP QUALITY AUTHOR: Emily N. Tai DATE SUBMITTED Spring 2020 Department of Nutrition & Food Science Erik Froyen, Ph.D. Thesis Committee Chair Nutrition and Food Science _________________________________________ David Edens, Ph.D. Nutrition and Food Science _________________________________________ Emily Kiresich, Ph.D. Nutrition and Food Science _________________________________________ ii ABSTRACT In recent years, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has been documented with both higher rates of incidence and earlier age of onset. Though treatments for MDD currently exist, they are limited by inherent obstacles, such as anergia and decreased motivation, or by external obstacles such as lack of knowledge or social stigma. Complications such as these could potentially be improved upon through dietary intervention, with dietary changes allowing for a mitigation of depressive symptoms that can compliment traditional antidepressant treatment. Chia, as a food product high in omega-3 fatty acids, tryptophan, and antioxidants, could be beneficial for the management of MDD. In addition, because chia can be easily incorporated into different foods, it can be easily introduced to the diets of individuals who suffer decreased motivation or energy due to depression. To study the potential effects, participants from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona campus were recruited for an 8-week study period, taking either water or chia mixed with water 30 minutes prior to each meal. Depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and urinary serotonin were measured through the Major Depression Inventory, the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, and urinary serotonin ELISA results taken before, during, and after the treatment period. Though chia supplementation was not confirmed to reduce depressive symptoms, improve sleep quality, or increase urinary serotonin in this study, further examination into alternative methods of processing chia could still prove beneficial. Keywords: Chia, Tryptophan, Omega-3, Serotonin, Melatonin, Antioxidants iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Signature Page .................................................................................................................... ii Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem........................................................................................ 1 Purpose of Study..................................................................................................... 4 Statement of the Hypotheses................................................................................... 4 Study Significance .................................................................................................. 5 Definitions............................................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................ 8 Depression and Sleep Disruptions .......................................................................... 8 Chia Nutrient Composition ..................................................................................... 9 Consumption of Chia + Foods with Similar Properties ........................................ 10 Nutrients Associated with Depression/Sleep Quality ........................................... 11 CHAPTER 3: METHODS................................................................................................ 20 Participants............................................................................................................ 20 Experimental Design............................................................................................. 21 Dietary Intervention .............................................................................................. 21 Data Collection ..................................................................................................... 22 iv Data Analysis ........................................................................................................ 23 CHAPTER 4: RESULTS.................................................................................................. 25 Hypothesis 1.......................................................................................................... 25 Hypothesis 2.......................................................................................................... 26 Hypothesis 3.......................................................................................................... 28 CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION............................................................................................ 30 Depressive Symptoms........................................................................................... 30 Sleep Quality......................................................................................................... 31 Chia Nutrient Bioavailability................................................................................ 32 Limitations ............................................................................................................ 34 CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION ......................................................................................... 37 Implications of the Study ...................................................................................... 37 References......................................................................................................................... 38 Appendices........................................................................................................................ 44 Appendix A. MDI Form ....................................................................................... 44 Appendix B. PSQI Form....................................................................................... 45 Appendix C. Raw Data – MDI Full ...................................................................... 46 Appendix D. Wilcoxon Analysis (within group analysis) - MDI......................... 49 Appendix E. Raw Data, PSQI Full ....................................................................... 51 Appendix F. ELISA Scores................................................................................... 54 Appendix G. ELISA Standards............................................................................. 55 v LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Essential Amino Acids in Chia........................................................................... 12 Table 2. Ratio of L-TRP:CAA.......................................................................................... 13 Table 3. Participant Demographics................................................................................... 20 Table 4. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test Results for Major Depression Inventory .............. 26 Table 5. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test for Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index Scores ............ 27 Table 6. Mann-Whitney Test for Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index scores ........................... 27 Table 7. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test for Urinary Serotonin .......................................... 28 Table 8. Mann-Whitley Test for Urinary Serotonin ......................................................... 29 vi LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. MDI Score Comparison Between Control and Treatment Groups ................... 25 Figure 2. PSQI Score Comparisons Between Control and Treatment Groups ................. 26 Figure 3. ELISA Score Mean Comparisons between Control and Treatment Groups ..... 29 Figure 4. ELISA Serotonin Standard Curve ..................................................................... 55 vii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Statement of the Problem Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), which affects over 264 million people world- wide, is known by the World Health Organization to be a leading cause of disability. While the age of onset is known to rage from mid-to-late adolescence to the early 40’s with peak incidence noted to be around the mid 20’s, MDD has recently been documented with higher overall rates and increasingly earlier age of onset (Santos et al., 2017). Though MDD is associated with almost 200 known genes, it can be difficult to research and treat due to the wide variety of symptoms and potential etiologies (Santos et al., 2017; Rao et al, 2016). Furthermore, while known and effective treatments for MDD currently exist, proper utilization of these treatments may be limited by income level, incorrect diagnosis, or limited access to health coverage resulting from the social stigma around addressing mental health. MDD is additionally known to
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