Clinical trials do not confirm that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids helps prevent depression.
Scientists do not confirm that fish oil supplementation, a source of omega-3 fatty acids, prevents depression. The results of the largest clinical trial have been published in JAMA by a team of American researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and other reputable US hospitals.
Experts have generally recommended omega-3 supplements to reduce relapse of depression in some high-risk patients, but there are no data on the use of these supplements to prevent depression in the general population. In addition, previous studies on this topic have had mixed results.
Researchers set out to test the potential of daily vitamin D and/or omega-3 supplements to prevent depression. A total of 18,353 adults aged 50 years and older without depression at baseline for more than five years were randomly assigned vitamin D and/or omega-3 supplements or matching placebo.
Scientists have found no benefit from omega-3 supplements to prevent depression or improve mood. At the same time, the researchers paid equal attention to the risk of developing clinical depression at any time and general mood indicators throughout the observation period.
«Some people still have medical reasons for taking omega-3 supplements. For example, fish oil is increasingly being found to be beneficial in treating inflammatory conditions as well as treating existing depressive disorders in some high-risk patients. However, our results suggest that there is no reason for non-depressed adults in the general population to take fish oil supplements solely to prevent depression or to maintain a positive mood,” said study co-author Joanne E. Manson, MD, professor of medicine. Harvard Medical School.
Earlier, Medportal reported that new studies also call into question the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of heart and vascular diseases.