We were pleased to be invited to the Carrick Institute’s Talk Neuro to Me Podcast to discuss a recently published double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on Daily Essential Nutrients, our flagship mood and mental health supplement. 

The episode focuses on using clinical strength micronutrients for antenatal depression, and Dr. Freddys Garcia of Carrick Institute opens by addressing a vital question: “Is there a safe and effective treatment for mood disorders such as depression during pregnancy?” This sets the stage for an in-depth discussion with Dallin Hardy, a biochemist at Hardy Nutritionals®, about the NUTRIMUM study, groundbreaking research conducted to explore the efficacy and safety of Daily Essential Nutrients in antenatal depression. The study aimed to discover whether DEN, a specialized broad-spectrum micronutrient supplement, could help pregnant women struggling with depression, a crucial issue due to the limited treatment options available that are both safe and effective during pregnancy.

Dallin Hardy shares that his family’s personal experience with mental illness deeply motivated his career. His father’s work in formulating livestock feed evolved into a quest to develop micronutrient supplements for human mental health after two of Dallin's siblings were successfully treated for mental health issues using Hardy Nutritionals' formulas. This led to Hardy’s creation of products like Daily Essential Nutrients, which have shown promising results in numerous independent studies.

NUTRIMUM Study Design and Purpose

The NUTRIMUM study, conducted at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, explored the safety and efficacy of using DEN to treat antenatal depression. The research was independent of Hardy Nutritionals, with the company donating only the micronutrient product. As Dallin explained, the study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial lasting 12 weeks. It recruited women in their second trimester of pregnancy who had clinically diagnosed depression. This timing was chosen to avoid common pregnancy issues like morning sickness and to ensure the women could tolerate the supplements.

Participants could not be on any medication or high doses of other supplements during the study. Most of the women had a history of major depressive episodes, and about two-thirds had previously used psychiatric medications.

Placebo Control and Micronutrient Dosage

One unique aspect of the study was its use of an "active placebo." In New Zealand, iodine supplementation is recommended during pregnancy, so the placebo group received iodine and riboflavin to simulate the effects of the micronutrient treatment and maintain the blind nature of the study. The micronutrient formula consisted of 12 capsules per day, divided into three doses. While the dosage might seem high, the research shows that the benefits for mental health made this regimen worthwhile for participants.

Results and Efficacy of the Treatment

The clinical global impressions of improvement and a separate self-report measure showed significant improvements for those receiving the micronutrient treatment, with large effect sizes, indicating meaningful clinical benefits. These benefits extend beyond just depressive symptoms to overall functioning in daily life, as measured by the Global Assessment of Function scale.

One key finding was that participants who had a history of psychiatric medication use or scored high on personality difficulty measures responded particularly well to the micronutrient treatment. This suggests that those with more complex or treatment-resistant mental health issues may benefit the most from this approach.

The Impact on Pregnancy and Infants

One of the most remarkable aspects of the study was its impact on pregnancy outcomes and infant health. The micronutrient group had fewer cases of preterm birth, with babies more likely to be full-term compared to those in the placebo group. This finding alone holds significant implications for prenatal care and long-term infant health.

The study also conducted follow-up assessments on the babies born to participants. These assessments, which included a detailed evaluation of motor control, orientation, and autonomic stability, revealed that babies born to mothers in the micronutrient group performed better on multiple measures compared to babies of both healthy mothers and those taking pharmaceutical antidepressants. This was revolutionary because it demonstrated the benefits not just for the mothers’ mental health but also for the developmental health of their babies.

The babies in the micronutrient group outperformed the others in habituation (how quickly they adjusted to disruption), motor control, and autonomic stability. These results were statistically significant, with P-values less than 0.001 for most measures, highlighting how powerful these findings were.

Reflections on the Formula and Future Implications

Dallin explained that the success of the formula lies in its balance and breadth. Hardy Nutritionals' broad-spectrum micronutrient formulas, such as Daily Essential Nutrients, are carefully designed to provide therapeutic doses that go beyond merely preventing deficiency. DEN is comprehensive and optimally designed to address the body’s needs for mental health, particularly for those with increased demands due to psychological or physiological stress.

He also emphasized that it’s not just the presence of certain key nutrients, but the synergy between them, that makes the formula effective. For example, nutrients like zinc and copper need to be balanced to avoid inducing deficiencies.

Takeaway for Clinicians and Patients

For clinicians, this study offers a powerful, evidence-based alternative to traditional pharmaceutical treatments for pregnant women with depression. The lack of side effects, combined with the broad-spectrum mental health benefits, makes this micronutrient treatment an exciting option for patients looking for natural, effective solutions.

Dallin Hardy’s advice to clinicians is to consider the patient’s history, particularly previous use of psychiatric medications or signs of personality difficulties, as these factors could predict a stronger response to micronutrient treatments. He also highlighted the importance of looking at overall functioning and energy levels when assessing the need for these treatments, as improvements in these areas can have a profound impact on a patient's quality of life.

The NUTRIMUM study’s results are groundbreaking, showing not only the efficacy of micronutrient treatment for antenatal depression but also the incredible benefits for infant development. With such revolutionary findings, clinicians now have a safe and effective option for pregnant women suffering from mood disorders. Hardy Nutritionals' formulas continue to demonstrate their transformative potential in mental health treatment.

This research, combined with Hardy Nutritionals’ years of development, is a testament to the power of broad-spectrum micronutrient therapy.

For more information on Hardy Nutritionals, visit HardyNutritionals.com.

About Hardy Nutritionals®

Hardy Nutritionals® multivitamin-mineral products are powered by our proprietary NutraTek™ mineral delivery technology, which combines each mineral with specialized organic molecules—just like nature—to optimize absorption and distribution to body cells. Our flagship supplement, Daily Essential Nutrients, is widely considered to be the most research-backed micronutrient treatment.