Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Can omega-3 fatty acids help prevent depression? From CNN

Mental Health Expert Dr. Charles Raison Psychiatrist,
Emory University Medical School
Expert answer

As is so often the case in this blog, the answer to your question is a resounding "maybe." Lots of studies have been done looking at omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of both unipolar (what I sometimes call "regular old") depression and for depression in bipolar disorder. The findings are mixed.

As unclear as the data are for using omega-3 fatty acids to treat depression, we know even less about whether omega-3s might actually prevent depression.

Most of the work that has been done in this area has focused on preventing post-partum depression. Taken as a whole the results are not very promising.

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