Written by Jessica Patella, ND. 46 elderly depressed female subjects, when supplemented with 2.5 g per day of omega-3 oils for two months, demonstrated significant reductions in depressive symptoms as well as improved physical, social and mental functioning.
Depression is a major concern in the elderly, because it is associated with a high mortality rate due to suicide (1). The rate of depression in independently living elderly persons ranges from 10-20% (2). This rate increases to 22-34% in hospitalized elderly persons (2). The rate increases even more in elderly patients with dementia, where depression is observed in 50% of cases (3). It is thought this increase in depression over the past century may be due to the decrease in omega-3 oils in the current standard diet (4).
The two most common long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are EPA](eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahesaenoic acid). Both of these omega-3 oils play an important role in the functioning of the central nervous system (4). Many studies have shown that people with depression or mood disorders have low intake and low blood levels of omega-3 oils (4).
Recent research included 46 female participants between 65-95 years of age who were living in a nursing home (4). All participants had depressive symptoms and met the full criteria for major depression or dysthymia (DSM-IV-TR). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale, which is a 30-item questionnaire where participants rate how they felt over the past week (4). All participants also took the Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey, which is a 36-question survey evaluating quality of life (4).
The participants were randomized to receive either 2.5g of omega-3 oil (1.67g EPA and 0.83g DHA) with lemon flavor, once per day (n=22) or a placebo with lemon flavoring, once per day for 8 weeks (n=24) (4). After week 8, the average Geriatric Depression Scale was significantly lower only in the group taking the omega-3 oil supplement (17.1 +/- 3.6 to 12.7 +/- 3.2; p=0.017) (4).
Also after the 8 weeks, participants taking the omega-3 oil supplement showed significant improvement in physical functioning (8% vs. 0%; p<0.001), social functioning (8% v.s 1%; p<0.001) and mental functioning (15% vs. 8%; p=0.01)), compared to the placebo group, as determined by the Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (4). This is the first study to observe this quality of life improvement in the elderly with omega-3 supplementation (4). Most importantly, no adverse side effects were reported, which is a major concern in pharmaceutical anti-depressant medication (4).
In conclusion, supplementation with 2.5 g per day of omega-3 oils for two months is associated with significant reductions in depressive symptoms in elderly persons with major depression or dysthymia (4). Supplementation also shows an increase in the health-related quality of life, with improvement in physical, social and mental functioning (4).
Source: Tajalizadekhoob, Yaser, et al. “The effect of low-dose omega 3 fatty acids on the treatment of mild to moderate depression in the elderly: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.” European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience 261.8 (2011): 539-549.
© Springer-Verlag 2011
Posted June 8, 2011.
References:
- Elderly Depression. See the National Institute of Mental Health website.
- Beekman AT, et al. Review of community prevalence of depression in later life. Br J Psychiatry 1999; 174:307-311.
- Olin JT, et al. Provisional diagnostic criteria for depression of Alzheimer disease. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2002; 10:125-128.
- Rondanelli M, et al. Long Chain Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Supplementation in the Treatment of Elderly Depression: Effects on Depressive Symptoms, on Phospholipids Fatty Acids Profile and on Health-Related Quality of Life. J Nutr Health Aging.
