Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Mood Disorders

• Published in: The American journal of psychiatry 2006-06, Vol.163 (6), p.969-978
• Main Authors: Parker, Gordon, Gibson, Neville A., Brotchie, Heather, Heruc, Gabriella, Rees, Anne-Marie, Hadzi-Pavlovic, Dusan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Bipolar Disorder - diet therapy; Bipolar Disorder - metabolism; Bipolar disorders; Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - metabolism; Depression; Depressive Disorder - diet therapy; Depressive Disorder - metabolism; Dietary Supplements; Docosahexaenoic Acids - therapeutic use; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - therapeutic use; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - administration & dosage; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - metabolism; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - therapeutic use; Humans; Malnutrition - diet therapy; Malnutrition - metabolism; Medical sciences; Mood disorders; Mood Disorders - diet therapy; Mood Disorders - etiology; Mood Disorders - metabolism; Neurological disorders; Personality disorders; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Suicides & suicide attempts; Treatment Outcome; Vegetable oils
• ISSN: 0002-953X; 1535-7228
• DOI: 10.1176/ajp.2006.163.6.969

Objective: This article is an overview of epidemiological and treatment studies suggesting that deficits in dietary-based omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may make an etiological contribution to mood disorders and that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may provide a therapeutic strategy. Method: Relevant published studies are detailed and considered. Results: Several epidemiological studies suggest covariation between seafood consumption and rates of mood disorders. Biological marker studies indicate deficits in omega-3 fatty acids in people with depressive disorders, while several treatment studies indicate therapeutic benefits from omega-3 supplementation. A similar contribution of omega-3 fatty acids to coronary artery disease may explain the well-described links between coronary artery disease and depression. Conclusions: Deficits in omega-3 fatty acids have been identified as a contributing factor to mood disorders and offer a potential rational treatment approach. This review identifies a number of hypotheses and studies for consideration. In particular, the authors argue for studies clarifying the efficacy of omega-3 supplementation for unipolar and bipolar depressive disorders, both as individual and augmentation treatment strategies, and for studies pursuing which omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is likely to provide the greatest benefit.