Poole, UK—Some studies have suggested a role for omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in treating major depressive disorder. New research published in the Cochrane Library, however, concludes that there is insufficient evidence for the use of taking an omega-3 fatty acid supplement in treating the disorder. For the study, researchers form Bournemouth University and colleagues used data from 26 randomized trials involving a total of 1,458 participants. The trials investigated the impact of giving an omega-3 fatty acid supplement in a capsule form and compared it to a placebo. In one study, involving 40 participants, they also investigated the impact of the same supplementation compared to an antidepressant treatment. Results indicate that, while patients who were given omega-3 fatty acids reported lower symptom scores than people with the placebo, the effect was small. In addition, there were important limitations that undermined researchers’ confidence in the results.
Published November 30, 2015
