Effect of Whole Blueberry Powder Consumption on Depression in a Central Louisiana Population

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