ω-3 Fatty acids for major depressive disorder in adults: an abridged Cochrane review

Study answer

What this study found

Overall, the evidence is insufficient and of very low quality to determine whether omega-3 fatty acids are effective for major depressive disorder. Pooled analyses suggested a small-to-modest benefit on depressive symptoms versus placebo, but the estimate was imprecise and may not be clinically important. Adverse events appeared similar between groups, although safety evidence was uncertain. In the single available comparison with antidepressants, there was no clear difference.

Study & population

Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 independent studies involving 1458 adults with major depressive disorder.

Intervention

Oral omega-3 fatty acid regimens, mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) alone or EPA/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) combinations, were tested across trials at doses ranging from EPA 1 g/day to EPA 3 g/day and EPA/DHA combinations such as 0.93/0.75 g/day and 1.05/0.15 g/day.

Key limitation

The evidence base was very low quality, with imprecise estimates and concern for bias.

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Original abstract