Home remedies: Can fish oil supplements treat depression?
Fish oil supplements may ease depression in some people. Some studies in adults suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may help treat mild to moderate depression, but more research is needed.
FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:
It's helpful that this brief news article from the Mayo Clinic does flag the fact that controlled trials in adults have shown benefits from supplementation with the omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) found in fish oils.However, it falls short of mentioning that it is only one of these long-chain omega-3 - EPA not DHA - that has shown these benefits - as explained in recently published treatment guidelines for clinicians from the world's leading experts in nutritional psychiatry: see
Similarly, it's good that this Mayo clinic article does recommend eating oily fish for its benefits for both brain and heart health - although unfortunate that they recommend pregnant women should limit their fish intake owing to the possible mercury that some fish and seafood may contain.
In fact, there are absolutely NO data that have ever shown ANY risks to the health and wellbeing of pregnant women, or their children, from eating fish and seafood - even in very high quantities indeed.
Rather - the MORE fish and seafood that pregnant women consume, the BETTER are the outcomes for their children's cognition and behaviour - as has repeatedly been shown in studies from around the world. See:
For more information on this topic, please see the following article lists, which are frequently updated:
And for more information on omega-3 and depression, please see the following article lists, which are also frequently updated:
27/06/2019 MedXpress
Fish oil supplements may ease depression in some people. Some studies in adults suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may help treat mild to moderate depression, but more research is needed.
Fish oil is a good source of omega-3fatty acids, which play an important role in brain function. People with depression may have low blood levels of brain chemicals called eicosapentaenoic (i-koe-suh-pen-tuh-e-NO-ik) acid (and docosahexaenoic (doe-koe-suh-hek-suh-e-NO-ik) acid. These acids can be found in fish oil.
Eating fish a few times a week may provide your body with these healthy oils. Examples of fish high in omega-3 fatty acids include sardines, salmon, herring, trout and canned white (albacore) tuna.
If you're pregnant or nursing, limit your weekly fish intake to 12 ounces (340 grams) of a variety of fish, and make wise choices. This limit is due to mercury levels. For example, salmon is typically low in mercury. But eat no more than 6 ounces (170 grams) of canned white tuna a week because it's higher in mercury than light canned tuna.
However, while it's generally true that the best way to get nutrients is through healthy foods, this is one example where a supplement may help. Some studies have shown that contaminants like mercury do not appear to accumulate in fish oil but remain primarily in the meat of the fish. So if you're concerned about mercury, a high-quality fish oil supplement may help with depression, but ask your health care provider for advice.
Fish oil alone isn't a depression treatment, but it may be a helpful addition to prescribed medications or other treatment. Although more studies are needed to determine exactly what role omega-3 fatty acids play in depression, it's possible that fish oil supplements high in omega-3 fatty acids may lower the risk of depression. And omega-3 fatty acids help protect heart health.
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