Omega-3 fatty acids have been in the news a great deal, and the list of health benefits continues to grow. From helping to prevent heart disease to lowering the risk for certain cancers, consumption of Omega-3s is being increasingly encouraged as part of a healthy diet. Now, Omega-3 fatty acids are being touted as a way to promote mental health.

In the largest clinical study of its kind, researchers have found that Omega-3 supplements were effective in helping patients with major depression. In certain instances, the ability of Omega-3s to help lessen the impact of depression was comparable to conventional antidepressant treatment.

Between October 2005 and January 2009, over 430 study subjects with major unipolar depression were enrolled in the study. The subjects included patients with conditions that were difficult to treat and had thus far been resistant to conventional antidepressant treatments. The individuals were divided into two groups, one of which was given three capsules each day of fish oil supplement with a high concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The other group was given a placebo.

While the initial results showed no clear effect of the Omega-3s on depression, further analysis indicated that the treatment did address depression when it was not accompanied by an anxiety disorder. Previous epidemiological studies have suggested that people who have low levels of Omega-3 fatty acids may be predisposed to depression. Some clinical studies have also indicated that Omega-3 supplements with high concentrations of EPA may help patients suffering from depression who had not responded to conventional treatment. These findings, however, were not a basis for issuing any recommendations regarding Omega-3 treatments.

The current study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, hoped to address the previous shortcomings, and the findings were encouraging. The authors hope to undertake further endeavors comparing Omega-3s with conventional antidepressant therapies in order to clarify their efficacy in treating depression.

Depression is now identified as the fourth leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world, and it is slated to move up the rankings in the coming decade, making it a significant public health issue. Though huge strides have been made in the understanding and treatment of depression, the long term prospects of therapy are clouded with problems of adherence and stigmatization. For these reasons, patients often turn to alternative therapies, especially Omega-3s, as a way to address their situation. Unfortunately, many of these approaches have not been adequately studied.

Depression is a serious problem that should not be ignored. If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, seek help as soon as possible. For more information, visit the website for the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH).