Omega 3 deficiency: more than twice as likely to end up in postpartum depression

A dietary imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in excess of a 9:1 ratio exposes one to an increased risk of postpartum depression. The news comes from the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, where Camilla da Rocha and Gilberto Kac studied the effect of an unbalanced intake among the different forms of fatty acids on the frequency of this disorder. The study that led to this conclusion, published in the journal Maternal and Child Nutrition, confirms the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in regulating the mechanisms responsible for mental health.

Postpartum depression: the role of omega-3s

Several past research studies have demonstrated theimportance of Omega-3s for women's health. Included among the benefits found is the effect exerted by these nutrients on the successful outcome of pregnancy and the health of the mother after delivery. In fact, observational studies have suggested that there is a correlation between low Omega-3 levels and an increased risk of suffering from postpartum depression.

However, the typical diet of today's Western societies is skewed toward a higher consumption of Omega-6. This increases the risk of Omega-3 deficiencies that could jeopardize women's psychological well-being immediately after the birth of a child. Brazilian researchers wanted to explore this phenomenon by assessing whether an unbalanced ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 in favor of the former was associated with an increased likelihood of suffering from postpartum depression.

The results of the research

The study involved 106 women in their first pregnancy and was conducted in Rio de Janeiro between 2005 and 2007. Participants were monitored 4 times during gestation and 1 time after delivery. In addition to assessing through a specific scale the presence of postpartum depression, during the first trimester of pregnancy the researchers had the women fill out a questionnaire on eating habits. Overall, data were collected on socio-demographic conditions, obstetrical situation, body mass index before conception, and diet composition of all participants. It emerged that the frequency of postpartum depression was 26.4 percent and the incidence of the disorder was higher in women in whom the ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 was greater than 9 to 1. Another finding highlighted by the study was that participants whose body mass index before pregnancy was less than 18.5 were more likely to suffer from the condition.

Omega-3 deficiency increases the risk of postpartum depression

The authors of the study chose to evaluate the effect on the incidence of postpartum depression of a ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 greater than 9 to 1 because this is the level recommended by specialists. The data obtained indicate that exceeding this level increases the likelihood of suffering from the condition by 2.5 times. They also confirm the importance of proper intake of fatty acids to ensure psychological well-being after childbirth.  

Source 

1. da Rocha CM, Kac G, "High dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 polyunsaturated acids during pregnancy and prevalence of postpartum depression," Matern Child Nutr. 2012 Jan;8(1):36-48. doi: