Hoboken, NJ—Supplementing withRobuvitcan improve general health, mood, and social functioning within four weeks of a surgical procedure, according to a new double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in theJournal of Nutrients. A press release on the topic notes that, in the U.S., nearly 50 million outpatient surgical procedures are conducted every year.

"The recovery period following an invasive surgery is critically important. It can affect a patient's mental health, and their ability to perform daily physical tasks as their body recuperates. Nearly 15 percent of patients experience post-operative complications during the recovery period and studies show significantly higher risk of depression for women who have undergone this surgery," said family physician and nutritional health expert Dr. Fred Pescatore in the press release. "This study showing evidence that Robuvit, a natural antioxidant, can support that recovery, including the mental health aspects, represents a step forward for post-operative recovery."

The study was conducted on 66 female patients who had just undergone hysterectomy procedures, which the press release notes is the second most commonly performed surgical procedure for women in their reproductive years. The participants supplemented with 300mg of Robuvit, a French oak extract, daily for eight weeks.
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Researchers compared results to a placebo control group using a questionnaire and biochemical analysis of blood samples. They performed evaluations before supplementation began, after three and seven days, and four and eight weeks after surgery. The findings at the four-week mark:
  • 18.1 percent improvement of general ability to perform physical tasks (compared to 3 percent decline in the placebo group)
  • 17.5 percent improvement in ability to take part in social activities (compared to 7.4 percent decline in the placebo group)
  • 12.5 percent improvement of energy and mood (compared to 2.3 percent improvement in the placebo group)
Additionally, after eight weeks, blood sample analysis found that those who supplemented with Robuvit had a 6.3% increase of oxidative stress—compared to 57% in the placebo group. Also, the press release notes, the enhancement of MMP-9—an enzyme involved in the degradation of the extra-cellular matrix—was significantly reduced, compared to placebo.

"These findings are promising for women who have undergone a hysterectomy procedure and for any post-surgery patient," says Dr. Pescatore in the release. "I'm particularly encouraged by the improvement of oxidative stress levels for participants who supplemented with Robuvit. Oxidative stress is the body's response to an imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals which can be triggered by inflammation from a surgical procedure. High levels of oxidative stress can cause the body to take longer to recover and can affect mood. The improvement in the Robuvit test group shows that this antioxidant helps the body recover more efficiently and supports mood.

"I've treated post-op patients throughout my career, and I know how difficult recovery can be and how long it can extend,” Dr. Pescatore continued. “These findings bear further exploration given what they represent for millions of patients.”