• About
  • Masthead
  • License Content
  • Advertise
  • Submit Press Release
  • RSS/Email List
  • Write for us
  • Contact us
2 Minute Medicine
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

SUBSCRIBE
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
2 Minute Medicine
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
SUBSCRIBE
2 Minute Medicine
Subscribe
Home All Specialties Chronic Disease

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements did not reduce depression risk in adults compared to placebo

byJake EngelandMichael Pratte
May 13, 2022
in Chronic Disease, Psychiatry, Public Health
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

1. The VITAL-DEP randomized controlled trial demonstrated that long-term supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids in adults did not reduce the risk of depression or change mood scores using the PHQ-8 score compared to placebo.

Evidence Rating Level: 1 (Excellent)

Study Rundown: Marine omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of depression and improve mood. However, current evidence is mixed regarding whether omega-3 fatty acids reduce depressive symptoms. A large, randomized controlled trial has yet to assess whether omega-3 supplementation prevents or reduces depression risk. The VITAL-DEP randomized controlled trial investigated whether daily Vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acids can reduce depression risk compared to placebo. This current study discusses the results of omega-3 supplementation. Adults (18 353 included in the primary analysis) aged 50 years or over (50+ men and 55+ women) were randomized to receive Vitamin D3, marine omega-3 fatty acids, or matching placebos between November 2011 and March 2014. They were followed up annually, and this continued until the end of randomized treatment on December 31, 2017, with a median treatment duration of 5.3 years (IQR: 5.0-5.7). The co-primary outcomes were depression risk and longitudinal mood scores using PHQ-8 scores (range 0-24; higher scores indicate worse mood). There were 651 cases of depression/clinically relevant depressive symptoms in the omega-3 treatment cohort (13.9 per 1000 person-years) compared to 583 cases in the placebo arm (12.3 per 1000 person-years), resulting in an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.13 (95% CI: 1.01-1.26; p= 0.03). Furthermore, the mean change in PHQ-8 scores between the omega-3 cohort and placebo group over the entire follow-up period was 0.03 points (95% CI: -0.01-0.07; p= 0.19). Surprisingly, the omega-3 cohort had a small but significant increased risk of first-time depression (HR: 1.17 [95% CI: 1.03-1.33]) and no increased risk of recurrent depression (HR: 1.02 [95% CI: 0.82-1.27]) compared to the placebo group. Overall, adults without baseline depression who received omega-3 supplements did not have a decreased risk of developing depression (there was a small statistically significant increase in risk) or change in mood scores compared to placebo; therefore, the use of omega-3 to prevent depression in adults is not supported. This study was strengthened by its large, diverse cohort, a long duration of treatment, and a high proportion of participants with long-term follow-up. Notably, this study did not directly measure brain levels of omega-3 fatty acids; therefore, despite increased blood levels of fatty acids in the treatment group, it is not clear whether this was correlated with elevated brain levels.

Click to read the study in JAMA

Relevant Reading: A multi-national, multi-disciplinary Delphi consensus study on using omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) for the treatment of major depressive disorder

Image: PD

©2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. Inquire about licensing here. No article should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors or by 2 Minute Medicine, Inc.

RELATED REPORTS

Exercise improves symptoms in adults with depression

Wellness Check: Exercise

Youth depression and anxiety rates increased during the COVID-19 pandemic

Tags: depressionomega-3omega-3 fatty acids
Previous Post

Rivaroxaban associated with significantly increased risk of major ischemic or hemorrhagic events versus apixaban in patients with atrial fibrillation

Next Post

#VisualAbstract: The use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma not beneficial to patients hospitalized with COVID-19

RelatedReports

Parents often unaware of adolescents’ suicidal thoughts
Lifestyle

Exercise improves symptoms in adults with depression

March 13, 2023
Adolescents’ muscle strength associated with lower cardiometabolic risk
Wellness

Wellness Check: Exercise

March 9, 2023
Association of Use of Oral Contraceptives With Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents and Young Women
Pediatrics

Youth depression and anxiety rates increased during the COVID-19 pandemic

February 17, 2023
Quick Take: Effect of Developmentally Adapted Cognitive Processing Therapy for Youth With Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Childhood Sexual and Physical Abuse
Wellness

Wellness Check: Mental Health

February 16, 2023
Next Post
#VisualAbstract: Pericardiotomy after cardiac surgery may reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation

#VisualAbstract: The use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma not beneficial to patients hospitalized with COVID-19

Ultrasound enhances gastrointestinal absorption of drugs at low frequencies

Wellness Check: Addictions

#VisualAbstract Drug survival of etanercept was significantly lower than other biologics in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

#VisualAbstract Drug survival of etanercept was significantly lower than other biologics in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

License Our Award-Winning Physician-Written Medical News and Visual Abstracts

2 Minute Medicine is the leading authoritative medical news licensing service, and the only with reports written by practicing doctors.

LICENSE CONTENT

2MM+ Premium Access

No ads & unlimited access to all current reports, over 9000 searchable archived reports, visual abstracts, Weekly Rewinds, and the online edition of The Classics Series™ textbook.

Subscription Options
2 Minute Medicine

2 Minute Medicine® is an award winning, physician-run, expert medical media company. Our content is curated, written and edited by practicing health professionals who have clinical and scientific expertise in their field of reporting. Our editorial management team is comprised of highly-trained MD physicians. Join numerous brands, companies, and hospitals who trust our licensed content.

Recent Reports

  • Abnormal menstruation may be associated with worse cardiometabolic outcomes later in life
  • Past infection with pre-omicron variants of COVID-19 protects against re-infection
  • No difference in complete expulsion of intrauterine device between early and standard interval postpartum placement
License Content
Terms of Use | Disclaimer
Cookie Policy
Privacy Statement (EU)
Disclaimer

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

Want more physician-written
medical news?

Join over 10 million yearly readers and numerous companies. For healthcare professionals
and the public.

Subscribe for free today!

Subscription options