Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Depression? The Jury Is Still Out

A meta-analysis says success depends on a high percentage of EPA, but a large study using this dose finds only small effects in less severely ill patients.

Associations between depression and low fish consumption or low blood levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have prompted numerous small studies of PUFAs for treating depression. Two recent reports provide new insights.

In a meta-analysis of 15 mostly small, placebo-controlled trials in depressed patients (2 studies with >100 patients; total N, 916), Sublette and colleagues dichotomized the studies by the percentage of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content used in the PUFA preparation. The eight studies using at least 60% EPA showed a moderate antidepressant effect; no effect was seen in studies using lower levels of EPA. Age and treatment duration were unrelated to results. Seven studies used EPA as monotherapy, but whether ef…

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Peter Roy-Byrne, MD

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Peter Roy-Byrne, MD

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Depression? The Jury Is Still Out

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