Efficacy of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids in the treatment of depression.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Trials evaluating efficacy of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) in major depressive disorder report discrepant findings.

Aims

To establish the reasons underlying inconsistent findings among randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of omega-3 HUFAs for depression and to assess implications for further trials.

Method

A systematic bibliographic search of double-blind RCTs was conducted between January 1980 and July 2014 and an exploratory hypothesis-testing meta-analysis performed in 35 RCTs including 6665 participants receiving omega-3 HUFAs and 4373 participants receiving placebo.

Results

Among participants with diagnosed depression, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-predominant formulations (>50% EPA) demonstrated clinical benefits compared with pl

SUBMITTER: Hallahan B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9406129 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature