Third-age depression: help from fish oil

A new study reveals that omega-3 fatty acids relieve symptoms of depression, particularly those forms of the disorder that, often, occur during old age. The confirmation comes from the University of Milan, where Angela Rizzo and colleagues showed that taking 2.5 grams a day of omega 3 EPA and DHA reduced symptoms of depression in older people. Their study results were published in the Nutrition Journal.

Depression in old age, an often underestimated problem

Suffering from depression during old age is not an uncommon occurrence. As many as 13% of the elderly living in the community suffer from it, as do 24% of elderly patients of doctors, 30% of those who are hospitalized, and 43% of those living in a nursing home. Despite the fact that this disorder has rather obvious negative consequences on the quality of life, often in older people a clear diagnosis of the problem is not even made. Yet many cases of depression could be cured with timely and appropriate intervention. On the contrary, lack of appropriate care can lead to problems of both social, physical and cognitive nature. The physical consequences of untreated depression can even slow recovery from illness or surgery.

Depression and Omega-3s, a close link

The data collected by the Milan researchers first clearly demonstrated that in those suffering from depression during old age, levels of the omega-3 EPA in red blood cell membranes are particularly low. Already in the past, several studies had led the scientific community to hypothesize that omega-3 could be useful in the treatment of depression. This new study provides confirmation to what was hypothesized, suggesting that these fatty acids may provide a therapeutic option for those suffering from this disorder in old age.

Omega-3s are an effective remedy for depression

In fact, Rizzo and colleagues found that simply supplementing one's diet with Omega-3 for two months was enough to achieve a significant reduction in depression symptoms. The researchers involved 46 depressed women aged 66 to 95 in their study, in whom the symptoms of the disorder were assessed through a specific scale (the GDS, Geriatric Depression Scale). Twenty-two of these women were made to take 2.5 grams of the Omega-3 EPA and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) every day for 8 consecutive weeks, in a 2-to-1 ratio. The other 24 women took a placebo in the same way and for the same period. At the end of the administration period, the score obtained on the GDS scale was significantly lower in the women who had taken EPA and DHA. At the same time, the researchers found that Omega-3 intake had led to a decrease in the ratio of arachidonic acid (an Omega-6) to EPA present in blood and red blood cell membranes. This finding made it possible, on the one hand, to demonstrate the link between the change in EPA concentrations and the decrease in depressive symptoms and, on the other hand, to verify that Omega-3 intake allows a decrease in the ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3, a prerequisite for maintaining good health.  

Source Rizzo AM, Corsetto PA, Montorfano G, Opizzi A, Faliva M, Giacosa A, Ricevuti G, Berra B, Rondanelli M, Pelucchi C, "Comparison between the AA/EPA ratio in depressed and non-depressed elderly females: omega-3 fatty acid supplementation correlates with improved symptoms but does not change immunological parameters," Nutr J. 2012 Oct 10;11(1):82