Depression can greatly reduce your quality of life. About 10 percent of Americans suffer from depression, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. Fortunately, depression is a treatable illness with the use of antidepressant medications. Several studies have investigated the use of omega-3 fatty acids as an alternative treatment for depression.
Background
Studies show that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids play an important role in cognitive function, brain development and reducing the risk for heart disease. According to the National Institutes of Health, two 2006 research reviews support omega-3 use for depression when used as a supplement to standard care. Examples of omega-3s include DHA and EPA. Omega-3s are present in supplements and foods such as fish, fish oil, soybean oil, flaxseed oil, canola oil and walnuts.
Elderly
A 2011 study published in the "European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience" found favorable results when using omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of mild to moderate depression in people over 64 years of age. During this six-month trial, study participants were given 1 g of fish oil containing 300 mg of both DHA and EPA omega-3s.
Pregnancy
Depression can occur during pregnancy or in the postpartum period following a pregnancy. A review article published in the October 2010 issue of "The Journal of Maternal-fetal & Neonatal Medicine" reported that some studies show consuming close to 2 g of DHA plus EPA omega-3 supplements per day beginning early in pregnancy can help reduce the risk for maternal perinatal depression .
Recommendations
Most studies that showed favorable results for omega-3 supplementation and treatment of depression used doses of 1 to 2 g per day. According to the American Heart Association, several studies show that omega-3 in doses of 1 to 2 g per day can also help decrease heart disease events. The Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board recommendations for daily adequate intake of omega-3s are 1.6 g for adult men, 1.1 g for adult women, 1.4 g for pregnant women and 1.3 g per day for women who are nursing.
Results
Although some studies indicate omega-3s can help treat depression, other studies do not show favorable results. Omega-3s are not a cure for depression. However, taking recommended doses of omega-3s of about 2 g per day may help prevent symptoms of depression, treat depression when taken alongside standard care and provide additional health benefits involving heart disease events.
References
- Mental Health America: Breaking Down the Myths About Depression
- "Complementary and Alternative Medicine"; The Art and Science of Natural Products; NIH; May 2010
- "European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience"; The Effect of Low-Dose Omega 3 Fatty Acids on the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression in the Elderly: a Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study; Y. Tajalizadekhoob, et al.; February 2011
- "The Journal of Maternal-fetal & Neonatal Medicine"; Maternal Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Risk for Perinatal Maternal Depression; J.M. Wojcicki, et al.; October 2010
- American Heart Association: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics
- Institute of Medicine Food and Nutrition Board: Dietary Reference Intakes: Macronutrients
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