Docosahexaenoic acid does not affect aggression of normal volunteers under nonstressful conditions. A randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study

Hamazaki, Tomohito; Sawazaki, Shigeki; Nagao, Yoko; Kuwamori, Toyomi; Yazawa, Kazunaga; Mizushima, Yutaka; Kobayashi, Masashi

doi:10.1007/s11745-998-0254-2

Cited by 40 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Few studies have investigated the effects of n-3 supplements on hostility or aggression. In one study, DHA supplementation with oil capsules prevented an increase in aggression at times of stress among Japanese students (Hamazaki et al, 1996) but had no effect in non-stressful situations (Hamazaki et al, 1998). Similar findings by the same authors were reported in an elderly cohort of white-collar workers but not in rural villagers (Hamazaki et al, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

Associations between increases in plasma n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids following supplementation and decreases in anger and anxiety in substance abusers

Buydens‐Branchey

Branchey

Hibbeln

2008

Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry

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Objective-Mounting evidence indicates that low levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a role in the pathophysiology of a large number of psychiatric disorders. In light of the suboptimal n-3 PUFAs intake due to poor dietary habits among substance abusers and the strong associations between aggression, anxiety and substance use disorders we examined if insurance of adequate intakes of n-3 PUFAs with supplementation would decrease their anger and anxiety scores.Method-Substance abusers (n=22) were assigned to either 3 g of n-3 PUFAs, mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or soybean oil in identically looking capsules. The trial was double-blind, randomized and lasted 3 months. Anger and anxiety scales were administered at baseline and once a month thereafter. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the trial.Results-Patients' dietary intakes of n-3 PUFAs fell below recommended levels. Assignment to n-3 PUFA treatment was accompanied by significant decreases in anger and anxiety scores compared to placebo assignment. These changes were associated with increases in plasma levels of both EPA and DHA but an increase in EPA was more robustly correlated with low end-of-trial anxiety scores and an increase in DHA was more robustly correlated with low end-of-trial anger scores.Conclusion-These pilot data indicate that ensuring adequate n-3 PUFA intake via supplementation benefits substance abusers by reducing their anger and anxiety levels. The strong correlations between an increase in plasma EPA and lower anxiety scores and between an increase in plasma DHA and lower anger scores suggests a need for the further exploration of the differential responses to these two n-3 PUFAs in different psychiatric conditions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

Associations between increases in plasma n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids following supplementation and decreases in anger and anxiety in substance abusers

Buydens‐Branchey

Branchey

Hibbeln

2008

Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry

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“…Other studies have reported EPA plus DHA levels expressed as percent of total fatty acids as 3.81% [38] and 5.57% [39].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improvement of Major Depression is Associated with Increased Erythrocyte DHA

Meyer

Grenyer

Crowe

et al. 2013

Lipids

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The aim of this study was to determine if changes in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid status following tuna oil supplementation correlated with changes in scores of depression. A total of 95 volunteers receiving treatment for major depression were randomised to consume 8 × 1 g capsules per day of HiDHA (2 g DHA, 0.6 g EPA and 10 mg Vitamin E) or olive oil (placebo) for 16 weeks, whilst undergoing weekly counseling sessions by trained clinical psychologists using a standard empirically validated psychotherapy. Depression status was assessed using the 17 item Hamilton rating scale for depression and the Beck Depression Inventory by a psychodiagnostician who was blind to the treatment. Blood was taken at baseline and 16 weeks (n = 48) for measurement of erythrocyte fatty acids. With HiDHA supplementation, erythrocyte DHA content rose from 4.1 ± 0.2 to 7.9 ± 0.4 % (mean ± SEM, p < 0.001) of total fatty acids but did not change (4.0 ± 0.2 to 4.1 ± 0.2 %) in the olive oil group. The mean changes in scores of depression did not differ significantly between the two groups (-12.2 ± 2.1 for tuna oil and -14.4 ± 2.3 for olive oil). However, analysis of covariance showed that in the fish oil group there was a significant correlation (r = -0.51) between the change in erythrocyte DHA and the change in scores of depression (p < 0.05). Further study of the relationship between DHA and depression is warranted. Meyer, B. J., Grenyer, B. F. S., Crowe, T., Owen, A. J., Grigonis-Deane, E. M. & Howe, P. R.C. 2013, 'Improvement of major depression is associated with increased erythrocyte DHA ', Lipids, vol. 48,no. 9,

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“…This same dose appeared to decrease the level of norepinephrine (NE), but not other catecholamines, in medical students during exams [262]. Interestingly, when aggression was determined during a non-stressful time, there was no change in aggression in the DHA group and a slight decrease in the control group [263]. It is possible DHA supplementation is offering protection during stressful conditions.…”

Section: Other Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Omega-3 fatty acids and neuropsychiatric disorders

2005

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-Epidemiological evidence suggests that dietary consumption of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), commonly found in fish or fish oil, may modify the risk for certain neuropsychiatric disorders. As evidence, decreased blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with several neuropsychiatric conditions, including Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder, Alzheimer's Disease, Schizophrenia and Depression. Supplementation studies, using individual or combination omega-3 fatty acids, suggest the possibility for decreased symptoms associated with some of these conditions. Thus far, however, the benefits of supplementation, in terms of decreasing disease risk and/or aiding in symptom management, are not clear and more research is needed. The reasons for blood fatty acid alterations in these disorders are not known, nor are the potential mechanisms by which omega-3 fatty acids may function in normal neuronal activity and neuropsychiatric disease prevention and/or treatment. It is clear, however, that DHA is the predominant n-3 fatty acid found in the brain and that EPA plays an important role as an anti-inflammatory precursor. Both DHA and EPA can be linked with many aspects of neural function, including neurotransmission, membrane fluidity, ion channel and enzyme regulation and gene expression. This review summarizes the knowledge in terms of dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake and metabolism, as well as evidence pointing to potential mechanisms of omega-3 fatty acids in normal brain functioning, development of neuropsychiatric disorders and efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in terms of symptom management.

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Docosahexaenoic acid does not affect aggression of normal volunteers under nonstressful conditions. A randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study

Cited by 40 publications

References 21 publications

Associations between increases in plasma n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids following supplementation and decreases in anger and anxiety in substance abusers

Associations between increases in plasma n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids following supplementation and decreases in anger and anxiety in substance abusers

Improvement of Major Depression is Associated with Increased Erythrocyte DHA

Omega-3 fatty acids and neuropsychiatric disorders

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