Is Fish Oil Good for Depression?

Depression sufferers may benefit from taking fish oil supplements.

Fish Oil's Antidepressant Properties

Fish oil is a known source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important to healthy brain functioning, and people who suffer from depression may have low levels of these essential chemicals in the brain. Some clinical trials--including a double-blind, placebo-controlled study led by Kuan-Pin Su, M.D. and published in the "European Journal of Psychopharmacology" in 2004, as well as a controlled-treatment trial conducted at Sheffield University in England and overseen by former Head of the University Department of Psychiatry at Sheffield, Malcolm Peet--have concluded that fish oil, which contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can act as an effective antidepressant for some individuals.

More Research Required

Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D. says that while initial research is promising, more studies are needed to determine exactly what role omega-3s play in depression and the most effective dosage of EPA and DHA for depression treatment. Also, not all studies of fish oil treatment for depression found a strong link. A Finnish/National Cancer Institute survey of 29,133 Finnish men, found that "there were no associations between the dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids or fish consumption and depressed mood, major depressive episodes, or suicide."

Bottom Line

Few risks are associated with fish oil treatment for depression. Despite concerns about mercury contamination, tests conducted by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have found only negligible levels of mercury in over-the-counter fish oil supplements. Furthermore, although more research on omega-3s and depression is required for the medical community to form a clear consensus on fish oil treatment for depression, a growing body of research, including the Su and Peet studies, as well as two fish consumption studies conducted by Joseph Hibbeln, M.D. of the National Institute of Health (NIH) and published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" and the "American Journal of Psychiatry," indicates that fish oil may be an effective treatment for depression. Therefore, those who suffer from depression may benefit from fish oil therapy.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Is There Any Benefit to Taking Fish Oil Supplements for Depression?
• McMan's Depression and Bipolar Web: Omega-3 for Depression and Bipolar
• PsychEducation: Omega-3 Fatty Acids (including Fish Oil)
• National Center for Biotechnology Information: Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Major Depressive Disorder
• Food and Behavior Research: Professor Malcolm Peet, MBCLB, MRCPsy