Monday March 14, 2016 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new trial study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry suggests taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), can help treat major depression.   

At baseline and after treatment with omega-3 fatty acid supplements, blood samples from participants with major depression were tested for the levels of EPA and DHA, and omega-6 arachidonic acid in red blood cells.

Of the treated depression patients, those who remitted after the supplementation with omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA had significantly higher levels of EPA and DHA, and higher ratio of omega 3 to omega-6 arachidonic acid in red blood cells, compared to those who did not remit.

Both the study group and placebo group of depression patients were treated with 50 mg per day of sertraline and only the study group received 930 mg of EPA and 750 mg of DHA daily.

Other studies show depression is associated with low levels of EPA and DHA, two common omega-3 fatty acids found in marine algae and cold water fish, in red blood cells.   (David Liu)

Robert M. Carney, PhD; Brian C. Steinmeyer, MS; Kenneth E. Freedland, PhD; Eugene H. Rubin, MD, PhD; Michael W. Rich, MD; and William S. Harris, PhD, Baseline Blood Levels of Omega-3 and Depression Remission: A Secondary Analysis of Data From a Placebo-Controlled Trial of Omega-3 Supplements, J Clin Psychiatry 2016;77(2):e138–e143