Omega-3 fatty acids and Prozac are effective in the treatment of depression, a mood disorder characterized by excessive feelings of sadness and worthlessness, restlessness and loss of interest in pursuit of pleasurable activities. Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats available in foods and dietary supplements, whereas Prozac is a prescription medication. Consult your doctor on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids versus Prozac.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids include alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Alpha-linolenic acid is naturally found in walnuts and flaxseeds, whereas eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are found in fatty fish, such as salmon, herring, tuna and sardines. A deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, is associated with an increased risk of depression and, when taken in dietary supplements, may safely prevent and improve mood disorders in adults and children, according to research by scientists at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and published in “Current Drug Discovery Technology" in August 2011.
Prozac
Prozac is a brand-name selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that contains fluoxetine that the FDA approved to treat major depressive disorder in adult and pediatric patients 8 to 18 years of age. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors work by sustaining brain levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that communicates messages between nerve cells in the brain. Although Prozac is relatively safe for most patients, it can cause side effects, including delayed ejaculation in men and failure to achieve orgasm in women. The FDA mandates manufacturers of antidepressants, including Prozac, incorporate a black box warning on the product label about increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in young adults ages 18 to 24 during the first two months of treatment.
Comparison
The FDA approved Prozac in 1987, yet the use of omega-3 fatty acids to treat depression is relatively new. Nonetheless there has been just one clinical study published comparing the effectiveness of the two treatments. Scientists at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran compared the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid, fluoxetine and a combination of these substances in major depression, according to research published in the "Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry" in March 2008. The results demonstrate eicosapentaenoic acid is more effective than fluoxetine, and a combination of the two substances are more effective than either substance alone. About 56 percent of patients successfully responded to treatment with eicosapentaenoic acid, 50 percent responded to fluoxetine and 81 percent responded to eicosapentaenoic acid plus fluoxetine.
Considerations
Depression is a serious mental health disorder that requires proper medical treatment. Self- treatment of depression with omega-3 fatty acids may increase health risks, including those that have not yet been discovered. Other underlying medical conditions may impact the effectiveness and safety of taking omega-3 fatty acids, Prozac or a combination of these substances.
References
- American Psychiatric Association; Depression; 2005
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; June 25 2009
- "Current Drug Discovery Technology"; Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency in Mood Disorders: Rationale for Treatment and Prevention; R. K. McNamara; Aug 15 2011
- Eli Lilly; Prozac Prescribing Information; June 15 2011
- Mayo Clinic; Antidepressants: Selecting One That's Right for You; 2009
- Food and Drug Administration; Antidepressant Use in Children, Adolescents, and Adults; 2007
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