Omega-3s Fight Postpartum Depression

Omega-3s Fight Postpartum Depression

TUCSON, Ariz.Marine-sourcedomega-3 essential fatty acids (n-3 EFAs) combat postpartum depression (PPD),according to a study published online in ActaPsychiatrica Scandinavica on Dec. 5, 2005(www.blackwell-synergy.com).

In the eight-week trial, test subjects were randomized toreceive 0.5 g/d (n=6), 1.4 g/d (n=3) or 2.8 g/d (n=7) n-3 EFAs (as EPAX n-3 oilprovided by Epax AS, previously a division of Pronova Biocare AS[www.pronova.com]. All groups had reductions in mean scores on EdinburghPostnatal and Hamilton Rating depression scales (51.5 percent and 48.8 percent,respectively); changes from baseline were significant within each group and whencombining groups. The researchers concluded results of the study support furtherstudy of n- 3 fatty acids as a treatment for PPD.

N-3 fatty acids were assessed in a double-blinddose-ranging trial, said Marlene Freeman, M.D., director of the Womens MentalHealth Program and assistant professor of Psychiatry, Obstetrics &Gynecology, and Nutritional Sciences at the University Of Arizona College OfMedicine. A combination of n-3 EPA and DHA fatty acids provided by EPAX ASwas utilized. Among all three doses, patients with postpartum depressionimproved substantially during the trial.