PURPOSE: Dynamic changes in heart rate variability (HRV) are considered as markers for autonomic nervous system (ANS) balance and psychological mood states, including depression, anxiety, overtraining, and burnout. HRV is reduced in both depression and heart disease, suggesting common physiological mechanisms. Reduced HRV suggests poor stress adaptation, while increased HRV is associated with vigor (physical energy, mental acuity & emotional well-being). This study assessed the effects of nutritional supplementation on “Heart-Brain-Axis” dynamics whereby nutrition may impact physical (heart) and psychological (brain/mood) parameters in a coordinated manner.
METHODS: Before and after 30-days of supplementation, subjects performed a HRV assessment (emWave Pro; HeartMath Institute) and completed a validated Profile of Mood States (POMS) survey to assess Global Mood (GM) and related subscales: Vigor (V), Tension (T), Depression (D), Anger (A), Fatigue (F), Confusion (C). The supplement (MentaHeart; Amare Global) contained 5 natural ingredients previously shown to have health benefits, including Palm fruit bioactives (redox balance), Astaxanthin (antioxidant), Bergamot (cholesterol), Coenzyme Q10 (cardiac energetics), and Black cumin seed (inflammation).
RESULTS: Following 30-days of supplementation, HRV was improved 11% (SDNN; 47.5msec Pre versus 58.2msec Post) and 19% (RMSSD 3.7 Pre versus 4.4 Post), indicating superior ANS tone and enhanced stress resilience. Psychological Mood State (POMS) parameters showed dramatic improvements following supplementation, with reductions in negative mood states: T (-49%), D (-76%), A (-39%), F (-51%), and C (-62%); with corresponding increases in positive mood states; GM (+23%) and V (+22%).
CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation resulted in a meaningful 11-19% increase in HRV (suggesting a “physical” heart benefit) and also improved mood state parameters (suggesting a “mental” brain benefit). While previous studies have shown individual ingredients to improve general heart/brain health, these data are the first to show that targeted multi-nutrient supplementation supports the multi-faceted psychophysiological “Heart-Brain-Axis” with simultaneous and coordinated improvements in both physical and mental performance.