The news came out yesterday that fish oil (omega-3s) does not prevent postpartum depression. This news was based on a large study conducted in Australia, the results of which were just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). It found that pregnant mothers taking the fish oil supplement DHA had essentially the same incidence of postpartum depression as those who didn’t. The authors concluded that DHA supplementation during pregnancy is not necessary, at least not as a preventive measure for PPD.
Here are the questions I have about this news:
- The study was based on DHA supplementation, not EPA supplementation. (EPA and DHA are both omega-3 fatty acids found in fish.) Would this have any impact on the results?
- The supplements were only taken starting at the 21st week of pregnancy. Would it have made a difference if they were started earlier?
- What about when they are taken during the postpartum period?
I’ve read a lot of conflicting reports that omega-3s can be beneficial for postpartum depression, and I’ve reported on them here. So I’m not sure whether everyone should immediately stop bothering to take them because of this study. At the same time, I probably wouldn’t rely on them as my sole countermeasure for fighting PPD.
Interestingly, the LA Times‘ story on the fish oil/PPD study concluded with this quote:
“Dr. Vivien Burt, a specialist in women and mood disorders at UCLA‘s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, said that most women at high risk of postpartum depression would be better off starting an antidepressant immediately after childbirth, and continuing psychotherapy through pregnancy and beyond.”
To read the fish oil study in JAMA, click here.
Yes, there is no evidence to confirm that taking fish oil during pregnancy reduces the risk of post-natal depression. Post-natal Depression RiskPregnant women who take DHA fish oil capsules during pregnancy do not reduce their risk of developing post-natal, nor do the supplements have any effect on the baby's cognitive and language development during early childhood
This study was deeply flawed in that the amount of DHA given was not enough to overcome the profound Omega-3 deficiency in these pregnant women. Furthermore, EPA is crucial in overcoming depression and most of the evidence is in this regard. Indeed, the OVERWHELMING body of evidence would refute this study as those cultures with the highest fish consumption (both EPA and DHA in triglyceride form) have the lowest incidence of ALL types of depression.
Michael B. Gross MD, FACOG
All I know is I could feel an extreme difference on my moods when I took fish oil. I have used both sound formulas and mood from label me sane they are highly concentrated. I relied on them w antideppresants and therapy from my wonderful therapist pec indman.
The best way to treat Postpartum Depression is to undergo into counseling, supplements that are rich with omega 3 can not prevent the change of hormones during pregnancy that causes Postpartum Depression.
Lisa,
http://krilloil.com/
The biggest problem which never seems to go away is that researchers do not attempt to achieve the Omega6/3 ratios that occur in populations that do not have PPD. These are the same populations that have minimal heart disease, stroke MS, auto immune disorders namely Inuits and costal Japanese. The 6/3 ratio in these populations is well below 1 to 1. All of this research has been available since the 2005 publication of Dr Lands book: Fish Omega3’s and human health.