Teenagers are one of the most vulnerable targets for stress due to the COVID-19 crisis and among the hardest hit from a mental health standpoint. Parents are seeking natural, holistic solutions for mental health for their children and themselves. Pharmactive Biotech, S.L., can now offer its affron, all-natural saffron extract as a holistic solution for mental health for teens and other age groups.
Rising mental health risks for teenagers brought on by extended isolation
Affron is the first saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) clinically studied on adolescents. In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of adolescents aged 12-16 years with mild-to-moderate symptoms, affron, when taken over an 8-week period, improved anxiety and depressive symptoms in the subjects.
Said Alberto Espinel, Manager of Strategic R&D in Active and Functional Natural Ingredients for Pharmactive: “Affron possesses a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory impact, which not only could help balance key neurotransmitters levels, such as serotonin and dopamine, but also fights the oxidative stress produced by anxiety and stress in the brain. Unfortunately, investigations into the use of herbal and nutraceutical agents for youth are limited. However, they carry significant potential that has yet to be realised. This gap in scientific exploration is what inspired our study of affron with adolescents.”
Teen Help Line
Adolescents typically have a heightened reactivity to stress, thought to be the result of hormonal fluctuations and changes in brain development. The teenage years are already difficult, but COVID-19 has intensified the situation. Due to school closures and cancelled extracurricular activities, many teens are missing out on some of the biggest moments of their lives, such as sports events, proms, etc., in addition to basic everyday moments, like chatting with friends and participating in class.
Says Julia Díaz Sáez, Head of Marketing for Pharmactive: “It’s hard enough being a teenager on a good day and the social isolation is making it even harder. There is no magic solution. It is important to help teens cope with anxiety and stress by encouraging them to work out regularly, keep a routine, play music, and show them love and support. Combined with daily consumption of affron saffron, it can help pave the way to ease stress and anxiety in teens.”
The clinical studies on adolescents indicate that Pharmactive’s affron could present a safe and highly compelling option for helping teens and even younger children cope with crisis events, especially where access to in-person psychological therapy is restricted. This pure ingredient exhibits the lowest dosage threshold on the market — just 28mg per day — due to its high bioavailability and rapid one-hour average absorption rate. For more visit pharmactive.eu
