EPA Helps Mood by Decreasing Cortisol Levels

TEHRAN, IranEicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may help alleviate depression in part by reducing cortisol levels, according to a new study (Psychiatry Res. ePub 2010 May 11. DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2009.04.013). Researchers from Tehran University of Medical Sciences previously found fluoxetine and EPA were equally effective in controlling depressive symptoms, and had a positive synergistic effect, in part due to reduction of inflammatory cytokines and regulating hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. The new trial examined plasma cortisol, serum interleukin-1beta (IL-1 beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in 42 patients enrolled in an eight-week study receiving 1,000 mg/d EPA alone or in combination with 20 mg/d fluoxetine, and compared to patients only taking fluoxetine. After eight weeks, all three treatments significantly decreased plasma cortisol levels, with no significant difference between groups. Serum concentrations of IL-1beta and IL-6 were not changed with any intervention.