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Omega-3 fatty acids and mood disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

C Owen ,
A-M Rees  and
G Parker
C Owen
Affiliation:
The Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia University of New South Wales
A-M Rees
Affiliation:
The Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
G Parker
Affiliation:
The Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
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Abstract

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Information

Type
Abstracts from ‘Brainwaves’— The Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research Annual Meeting 2006, 6–8 December, Sydney, Australia
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 18 , Issue 6 , December 2006 , pp. 302
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard

Background:

Over the past century, consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has decreased dramatically in Western diets, while consumption of omega-6 has increased. There is mounting evidence suggesting that deficits in dietary intake of omega-3 are associated with a range of health problems, including mood disorders. This review will outline the epi-demiological and clinical evidence for an association between omega-3 depletion and mood disorders, including unipolar, bipolar and perinatal depression and suicide risk.

Method:

Relevant published studies are reviewed and theories regarding the mechanisms of action are presented.

Results:

Strong correlations between rates of seafood consumption and mood disorders have been observed in several epidemiological studies. Biochemical studies indicate that omega-3 levels are lower in the tissue of people with depressive disorders than matched controls. The results of several randomized controlled trials indicate that omega-3 supplementation may have therapeutic benefit for depression suffers, although not all trials have shown a benefit.

Conclusions:

Deficits in omega-3 fatty acids are associated with increased prevalence of mood disorders and offer a potential rational treatment approach. A similar relationship between omega-3 depletion and coronary artery disease may explain the well-described links between coronary artery disease and depression. Inconsistency in clinical trial results to date may reflect differences in the type and dose of omega-3 supplement chosen, the depression subtype and/or baseline omega-3 levels of the study participants.