EPAX 5500 TG, Turn That Frown Upside Down

ALESUND, Norway—Omega-3 EFAs (as EPAX 5500TG, EPAX) improved psychological wellbeing in patients with recurrent self-harm issues (Br J Psychiatry, DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.106.022707). The study accompanied a clinical study in the same journal on patients with self-harming psychiatric disorders (Br J Psychiatry, DOI:10.1192/bjp.bp.105.019562), and demonstrates lower plasma levels of essential fatty acids (EFAs) combined with low cholesterol concentrations are associated with a high-risk pathological behavior, as well as impulsivity.

In the study, 49 patients (recruited after an act of repeated self-harm) were tested and randomized to receive EPAX 5500TG capsules (with 305 milligrams of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and 227 milligrams of docosahexaenoic acid [DHA], or placebo. At 12 weeks, the omega-3 EFA group had significantly greater improvements in scores for depression, suicidal behaviors and daily stress; surrogate markers of suicidal behavior achieved substantial reductions, and improvements in well-being were observed. Scores for impulsivity, aggression and hostility did not differ.

“We were very pleased with the outcome of this study. Although we were financially constrained in terms of the number of subjects we could recruit, we achieved acceptable levels of statistical significance,”

said consultant psychiatrist Malcolm R. Garland, M.D., MRC Psychology. This trial was the first of omega-3 supplementation in patients with self-harm.