Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis

What this study found

Omega-3 PUFAs produced a small but statistically significant improvement in depressive symptoms overall (SMD = -0.28, P = 0.004). Benefit was driven by EPA-containing formulations: EPA-pure at doses of 1 g/day or less showed SMD = -0.50, P = 0.003, and EPA-major at 1 g/day or less showed SMD = -1.03, P = 0.03. DHA-pure (SMD = -0.39, P = 0.34) and DHA-major (SMD = 0.11, P = 0.95) were not significant. Overall, the evidence supports EPA-dominant omega-3 supplementation, particularly EPA at or above 60% and at doses of 1 g/day or less, while substantial heterogeneity remains.

Study & population

Systematic review and meta-analysis of trials in adults with clinical depression or depressive symptoms, including participants with and without comorbid medical conditions.

Intervention

Across the included randomized trials, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were given orally as EPA- and/or DHA-containing formulations, with active doses ranging from about 150 mg/day to 4000 mg/day and treatment durations from 4 weeks to 6 months.

Key limitation

The included trials were heterogeneous in omega-3 formulation, EPA:DHA ratio, dose, duration, and depression measurement, which limits direct comparability.

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