Omega 3 Fatty Acids vs Depression?

[JSFolk]

So, I've read that O3FA's are supposed to be helpful in combatting depression, but I'm having issues wading through the studies. Has anyone here heard anything that certifies this as non-woo?

Thanks! :)

[cajela]

Not sure. Some evidence for folic acid. This is the best article I know reviewing complementary therapies for effectiveness and quality of evidence. Omega 3 is mentioned under "fish oils" with no significant evidence either way.

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/176_10_200502/jor10311_fm.html

{Edit because I misstated something}

[El Greco]

I've seen some positive studies, like this one (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15110732). Keep in mind that what we're most interested in is EPA and DHA and not their precursor, alpha-linolenic acid. This is because the in vivo conversion of alpha-linolenic to EPA and DHA is very low, yet EPA and DHA are the ones with the most interesting properties. So fish oil (contains EPA & DHA) is much better than flax seed (source of alpha-linolenic).

[cajela]

Cool. The article I cited is from 2002, looks like some more work has been done.

[CBL4]

This is from the Economist - December 3, 2003.
Fish oils (aka omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, available from mackerel, salmon or cod liver) seem to have a particular effect on mood and behaviour, several studies have suggested. Depressed people with high omega-3 levels became less gloomy. University finals students were, perhaps surprisingly, less aggressive if they had been fed fish oil for three months. Manic depressives on fish oil felt better, too. Violent offences among young British prisoners fed fish oil fell by 40%. Some scientists suggest that the apparent rise in depression over the past century is not the result of people's greater willingness to admit to feeling bad, but is a real phenomenon connected to the fall in oily fish consumption.
http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=2261821

Unfortunately, it does not provide a link to the studies.

CBL