OMEGA-3 IS RECOMMENDED AS AN ADDITIONAL TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION

A new clinical practice guideline by the International Society for Dietary Psychiatry Research recommends omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as an adjunctive therapy for major depressive disorder. Experts have found that the importance of this type of PUFA is "overlooked" in the treatment of depression, although "accumulated data confirm it."

The guideline notes that there are a lot of evidences demonstrating the effectiveness of omega-3s as an adjuvant for treating major depressive disorder. The authors of the guideline also note that omega-3s are safe and effective in accelerating the action of antidepressants at the beginning of therapy, and they enhance the effect of antidepressants in the case when their effect is not expressed enough.

Regarding omega-3-based product compositions and dosages, ISNPR recommends pure eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or a combination of EPA and docosahexaenoic acid at the initial minimal dose of 1 g a day for at least 8 weeks. The duration of such adjunctive therapy may be increased to prevent relapse.

SOURCE: MEDSCAPE