Omega-3 Treatment of Childhood Depression: A Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study

Abstract

Omega-3 fatty acids may have therapeutic benefits in childhood depression.

Significance of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for the development and behaviour of children

“…As numerous studies have demonstrated that ω-3 fatty acids have a positive effect in the treatment of major depression among adults, the effect of EPA/DHA treatment on infantile major depression was investigated in a study conducted by Nemets et al [85]. During the study, the children (aged between 6 and 12 years) were given a supplement consisting of ω-3 fatty acids (0.6 g/d) over a period of 16 weeks.…”

Benefits of fish oil replacement by plant originated oils in compounded fish feeds. A review

“…Fish and fish oils possess many protective properties against several diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (Kris-Etherton et al, 2002), rheumatoid arthritis (Rennie, Hughes, Lang, & Jebb, 2003), depression (Nemets, Nemets, Apter, Bracha, & Belmaker, 2006), cognitive decline (Morris, Evans, Tangney, Bienias, & Wilson, 2005) and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (Lukiw, & Bazan, 2008) due to the n-3 fatty acids which are thought to have anti-thrombotic (Din, Newby & Flapan, 2004) and anti-inflammatory properties (Rennie et al, 2003) and also due to micro constituents with anti-thrombotic properties (Kristensen, Bach Iversen & Schmidt, 2001; Mori, Beilin, Burke, Morris & Ritchie, 1997;Nasopoulou, Nomikos, Demopoulos, & Zabetakis, 2007;Nomikos, Karantonis, Skarvelis, Demopoulos, & Zabetakis, 2006;Panayiotou et al, 2000;Rementzis, Antonopoulou, & Demopoulos, 1997) rendering seafood an important component of human's diet. In addition the population growth and rising consumer demand result in a continuously increasing demand for fish supply and aquaculture could meet both these demands.…”

ω-3 and major depression: a review

“…The results of randomised and blind studies about major depression and v-3 supplementation have shown contradictory results: some studies found an apparent antidepressant effect, with significant statistical difference among groups who have received v-3 and those who received placebo, what showed the benefits of v-3 as adjuvant treatment in major depression (7)(8)(9)(78)(79)(80)(81), whereas other studies have presented negative results and evident differences among the groups that were not observed (82)(83)(84).…”