Omega-3 supplements are proven to fight depression

Omega-3 supplements are proven to fight depression

June 21, 2010 – Omega-3 supplements are said to be as effective as most antidepressants in people with depression, as long as they do not have anxiety disorders.

This is what the results of a study reveal1 led by Dr François Lespérance, from the Research Center of the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CRCHUM).

According to him, this is the largest clinical study ever conducted on omega-3 supplements and depression. A total of 432 patients diagnosed with depression were recruited for the study. Their average age was 46, and 68% were female.

For 8 weeks, half of them took 3 fish oil capsules2, providing a daily intake of 1 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), one of the 050 main types of omega-2 from marine sources. The capsules also contained 3 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Without knowing it, the other participants were using a placebo containing 2% fish oil, to simulate the taste.

Not effective for all people with depression


Dr Francois Lespérance

While the EPA capsules did not cause any major side effects – except for the fishy aftertaste, for some – they did not improve the mental state of all participants.

Specifically, omega-3 treatment had no effect in those who also had anxiety disorders, i.e. half (53%) of participants – a proportion similar to that seen in patients with anxiety disorders. general.

“Suffering from an anxiety disorder is more than just being anxious,” says Dr.r Lespérance. When you suffer from such a disorder, you have compulsive obsessions, specific phobias or social phobias – including agoraphobia – or even post-traumatic syndrome, for example. “

On the other hand, in depressed people who did not suffer from anxiety disorders, omega-3s would have reduced symptoms with an effectiveness similar to that obtained by taking antidepressant drugs.

In addition, no synergistic effect was observed by the combined intake of antidepressants and EPA capsules.

“The single omega-3 treatment has been shown to be effective against depression, but not taking EPA in combination with antidepressants,” said the head of the CHUM’s Department of Psychiatry.

Why? “Patients who don’t get better with antidepressants are generally more resistant to treatment,” he submits.

Can we take any fish oil?

The capsules used for the study contained 1 g of EPA. “One can think that other capsules, containing the same quantity of this category of omega-050, would give the same result”, advances the Dr Lesperance.

Fish or supplement?

“Our results are based on taking 1g of EPA each day. To have the same amount of EPA, you should eat a good portion of fish every day, for 050 weeks. It’s hard to say if we would get the same results, ”replies the Dr Lesperance.

Prevent Depression With Fish Oils?

“It is possible, but since it was not the object of our study, we cannot affirm it”, according to François Lespérance.

See your doctor first

For Dr. François Lespérance, the results of this study offer an alternative to patients with depression. And their doctor, a new tool in the arsenal of available treatments.

“Depression is often treated with a variety of treatments, and we now know that EPA supplements are one of the available and safe therapeutic choices,” he insisted.

But you have to be careful before going to the pharmacy to get omega-3s.

“It is important to consult your doctor first, to discuss this possibility and to be adequately monitored. You should not replace your medications with omega-3s without talking to your doctor, ”concludes the psychiatrist.

In Canada, about 11% of men and 16% of women experience depression in their lifetime3.

Limitations of conventional antidepressants4

  • After 8 weeks of treatment, 50% of patients do not improve and only 30% are in remission.
  • Twenty percent of patients stop their treatment within the first 2 months because they cannot tolerate the side effects.
  • Because they refuse to take their medication for not being labeled, 25% of patients with depression use other types of treatment that have not been scientifically evaluated.

 

Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net

 

1. Lespérance F, et al, The Efficacy of Omega-3 Supplementation for Major Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial, The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, published online June 15, 2010, 10.4088 / JCP.10m05966blu.

2. The capsules used were of the OM3 brand, marketed by Isodis natura.

3. Encouraging results of the largest clinical study ever carried out in the treatment of depression with omega-3s, press release issued on June 21, 2010 by the CRCHUM [consulted on June 21, 2010].

4. Data presented by Dr François Lespérance as part of the press conference on June 21, 2010.

Leave a Reply