Can Eating Fish Fight Depression?

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Can Eating Fish Fight Depression?

The omega-3 fatty acids found in cold-water fishes are well-documented to have an association with a lowered risk for cardiovascular disease. Nations that consume high amounts of these fishes and fish oils that contain omega-3 fatty acids have also reported decreased rates of depressive disorder.

The purpose of this study was to determine if a specific omega-3 fatty acid - ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid (E-EPA) - prevents clinical depression.

Twenty subjects with major depressive disorder were divided into two equal groups and given either two grams per day of an E-EPA supplement or a placebo in conjunction with their current antidepressant therapy, which included drug therapy. The supplement contained 96% pure fish oil; patients took it for four weeks. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was administered to evaluate the level of depression in the subjects before and after the use of E-EPA.

Significant improvements from adding E-EPA to therapy were observed by the third week of the study. Six of 10 patients taking the fish-oil supplement saw a 50% reduction in their Hamilton depression score, while only one patient of 10 taking the placebo saw a similar reduction. E-EPA reduced depressed moods, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, and insomnia; no side effects were reported.

The authors are unsure whether E-EPA works independently as an antidepressant or simply amplifies the effects of antidepressant drugs.

Nemets B, Stahl Z, Belmaker RH. Addition of omega-3 fatty acid to maintenance medication treatment for recurrent unipolar depressive disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry 2002:159(3), 2002:159(3), pp. 477-479.