Fish Oil and Childhood
Depression
A Review by Dr. Dan
Murphy
ABSTRACT:
Hanah Nemets, M.D., Boris Nemets, M.D., Alan Apter, M.D., Ziva Bracha,
M.D. and R.H. Belmaker, M.D. Omega-3 Treatment of Childhood
Depression: A Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study. American Journal of
Psychiatry, June 2006
OBJECTIVE:
Major depressive disorder in children may be more common than previously
thought, and its therapeutics are unclear. Because of success in a
previous study on omega-3 fatty acids in adult major depressive
disorder, the authors planned a pilot study of omega-3 fatty acids in
childhood major depression.
METHOD:
Children who entered the study were between the ages of 6 and 12.
Ratings were performed at baseline and at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks
using Children's Depression Rating Scale (CDRS), Children's Depression
Inventory (CDI), and Clinical Global Impression (CGI). Children were
randomized to omega-3 fatty acids or placebo as pharmacologic
monotherapy. Twenty-eight patients were randomized, and 20 completed at
least 1 month's ratings.
RESULTS:
Analysis of variance showed highly significant effects of omega-3 on
symptoms using the CDRS, CDI, and CGI.
CONCLUSIONS:
Omega-3 fatty acids may have therapeutic benefits in childhood
depression.
THESE AUTHORS ALSO NOTE: "Major
depressive disorder is a common and recurrent disorder in children." "It
is frequently accompanied by poor psychosocial outcome, comorbid
conditions, and high risk of suicide and substance abuse, indicating the
need for treatment." The prevalence of major depressive disorder is
about 2%-4% in children. "We found omega-3 fatty acids to be effective
in adult depression as an add-on therapy." This is a controlled study of
omega-3 fatty acids depression children between the ages of 6 - 12. The
omega-3 trial lasted for 16 weeks, and ratings were made at baseline and
at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks using the Childhood Depression Rating Scale
(CDRS), Childhood Depression Inventory (CDI), and Clinical Global
Impression (CGI).
The subject children received two 500
mg capsules of omega-3 or one 1,000 mg capsule of omega-3 oil daily. The
1,000 mg active capsules contained 400 mg eicosapentanoic acid and 200
mg docosahexaenoic acid per 1,000 mg capsule. [Notice: 2/1 ratio of
EPA/DHA] The 500 mg capsule of omega-3 contained 190 mg
eicosapentanoic acid and 90 mg docosahexaenoic acid. [Notice: 2.5/1
ratio of EPA/DHA] The placebo children were given 500 mg capsule of
olive oil containing no omega-3 fatty acids, or 1,000 mg capsules of
safflower oil, also containing no omega-3 fatty acids.
RESULTS:
"The effect of omega-3 is highly significant." "Among the children on
omega-3 treatment, seven out of 10 had a greater than 50% reduction in
CDRS scores." "Of those on placebo, zero out of 10 had a greater than
50% reduction in CDRS scores." Four out of 10 children in the omega-3
group met the remission criteria of a CDRS score, while no subject in
the placebo group met the criteria. The "omega-3 versus placebo
[outcomes] was significantly different at week 8, week 12, and week 16."
The self-rating CDI results and the CGI results were also highly
significant. "The omega-3 group and the placebo group were significantly
different at week 8, and week 16." "There were no clinically relevant
side effects reported" from taking fish oil. "No patient reported a
fishy taste when asked specifically."
"The present study is the first,
to our knowledge, of omega-3 treatment in prepubertal childhood
depression." [IMPORTANT]
KEY POINTS FROM DAN MURPHY
- Studies have shown that omega-3
fatty acids are helpful in treating adult major depressive disorder.
- "Major depressive disorder is a
common and recurrent disorder in children."
- Major depressive disorder in
children is often accompanied by poor psychosocial outcome, and a
high risk of suicide and substance abuse.
- The fish oil used in this
study had a ratio of EPA/DHA of either 2/1 or 2.5/1. This is yet
another study indicating that the EPA/DHA ratio should be at least
2/1. ["I use the
formula
from Nutri-West, which maintains the 2/1 EPA/DHA ratio"]
Dr. Dan Murphy
- In all measures of childhood
depression used in this study, the beneficial effect of omega-3s was
"highly significant."
- The significant benefit of
supplementing with omega-3s began to show up after 8 weeks of daily
supplementation.
- "There were no clinically relevant
side effects reported" from taking fish oil.
- "No patient reported a fishy taste
when asked specifically."
- This is the first study using
omega-3s in the treatment of prepubertal childhood depression, and
it showed a significant benefit.
Researched
by/formulated for Nutri-West by: DR. DAN MURPHY D.A.B.C.O.
Each Two Soft Gelatin Capsules Supplies
(2:1 ratio): EPA 600 mg, DHA 300 mg, ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid) 100 mg,
Vitamin E, D-Alpha Tocopherol (natural) 100 i.u., Mixed Natural
Tocopherols 4 mg. Omega 3 oil is molecular distilled, pharmaceutical
grade, from cold water wild fish (Salmon, Anchovy, Sardine, Mackerel,
and Cod) and has been independently tested for mercury, PCB's, Dioxins,
Furans and rancidity and complies with the CRN Monograph. These are the
absolute freshest oils available, and have been encapsulated in opaque
capsules (colored with natural carob) to further preserve this unique
freshness. Refrigerate after opening for best results. |
