The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids on your physical health are supported by scientific studies. Omega-3 lowers the risk of heart attack by reducing blood pressure and triglyceride levels. It also helps to prevent strokes by aiding in blood clotting. There also is some evidence that Omega-3 might benefit mental health conditions, specifically depression, but clinical studies of the effectiveness of omega-3 as a treatment for depression have yielded mixed results. As with starting any new treatments, consult your doctor before supplementing with omega-3.
Depression and Heart Health
The relationship between depression and omega-3 in patients with acute coronary syndrome was the focus of a study published in the 2008 issue of "Psychosomatic Medicine." Researchers found a significantly inverse relationship between levels of omega-3 in the body and depressive symptoms. In other words, depressive symptoms declined as levels of omega-3 increased. In addition, the research supported previous studies that found an association between depression and poorer cardiovascular outcomes.
Ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6
The average American diet contains 14 to 25 times more omega-6 than omega-3, according to the University of Maryland. This imbalance can have negative physical and mental health consequences because some forms of omega-6 exacerbate inflammation. A marked difference in omega-6 and omega-3 levels might increase the risk of inflammatory-related diseases as well as depression, according to a study published in the April 2007 issue of "Psychosomatic Medicine."
Severity of Depression
According to a study published in the February 2011 issue of "European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience," there was a significant difference in self-reported symptoms of depression by participants who took daily omega-3 supplements versus those who were given a placebo over a period of six months. As such, it was concluded that omega-3 supplements as a treatment for mild to moderate depression was more effective than placebo for people over the age of 65.
Complementary Treatment
Treatment for depression involves a multifaceted approach. Individual or group counseling might be sufficient for mild depression, whereas medication might be needed for more severe forms. A combination of counseling and medication is another possibility. At this time, there is not enough evidence to support omega-3 alone as an effective treatment for depression, but existing evidence does suggest the use of omega-3 as a complementary treatment for people with major depressive disorder, according to an article published by Dr. Marlene Freeman in 2009 in "The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry."
References
- Medline Plus: Fish Oil
- "Psychosomatic Medicine"; Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients with Depression Have Low Blood Cell Membrane Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels; A.A. Amin, et al.; October 2008
- "Psychosomatic Medicine"; Depressive Symptoms, Omega-6:Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Inflammation in Older Adults; J.K. Kiecolt-Glaser; April 2007
- 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 Clinical Psychiatry"; Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Major Depressive Disorder; M. Freeman; 2009
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Be Helpful In Psychiatric Care
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