Mood
Review of high quality trials of omega-3 fatty acids and anti-depressant effects
Lin & Su analysed ten double blind, placebo controlled studies in patients with mood disorders receiving long chain omega-3s with the treatment period lasting 4 weeks or longer (n=329).
Part of brain associated with omega-3 deficiency and depression
McNamara et al report a selective deficit of DHA in the brain orbitofrontal cortex (decision making region of the cortex) of patients (n=15) with major depressive disorder (MDD).
Meta-analyses show omega-3 benefit in depression
Freeman et al review the of use of omega-3 fatty acids in psychiatry. The preponderance of epidemiologic and tissue compositional studies supports a protective effect of omega-3 fatty acid intake, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in mood disorders.
Dietary deficits of omega-3 and mood disorders
The authors provide an overview of epidemiological and treatment studies which suggest that dietary deficits in omega-3s may be a cause of mood disorders.
Depressed post-MI patients have lower omega-3
Schins et al measured the serum AA/EPA ratio and plasma CRP levels in 50 post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients, of which 29 were depressed and 21 non-depressed.
