46 replies to this topic

[Cognitivespeed]

EPA shown to be as effective as an antidepressant drug



Omega-3 fatty acids are well known to provide a wealth of health benefits. One of these fatty acids, EPA, has begun to shine in its role of mood regulation. In particular, studies with EPA have found that it has benefits in depression and mental disorders. In 2000, depressive disorders ranked as the fourth highest among all diseases and the second highest in people from 15-44 years of age.

A new study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry compared the effects of EPA in depression to those of the antidepressant drug fluoxetine (Jazayeri et al. 2008;42(3):192-198). 48 patients who were diagnosed with major depressive disorder were given either 1000 mg EPA or 20 mg fluoxetine or both for 8 weeks. At the end of the study, it appeared that EPA was at least as effective in controlling symptoms of depression as the drug, and both together were especially effective. There was a response rate of 50% to fluoxetine, 56% to EPA and 81% to the combination. Due to ethical reasons, this double-blind study could not use a placebo control group. However, since the effectiveness of the combination treatment was greater than either alone, it is unlikely that there was a significant placebo effect.

This study supports many others that have found benefits for EPA supplementation in depression. There are several theories for this. Depression has been proposed to be caused by an excessive production of cytokines (molecular signals in the inflammation response). In particular, the cytokine IFNy can lower levels of serotonin by activating enzymes that metabolize tryptophan, serotonin's precursor, and decrease its availability. EPA has been found to decrease the production of IFNy. Other potential factors in depression are the complex interactions between the serotonin system and the metabolism of arachidonic acid, another fatty acid. EPA has strong effects on processes that involve arachidonic acid. Therefore, EPA supplementation appears to be a promising way to deal with mental disorders such as depression.


http://www.aor.ca/in..._depression.php

Edited by Cognitivespeed, 12 May 2008 - 11:42 PM.

[edward]

Impressive

[hamishm00]

Many studies say it is MORE effective.

[sUper GeNius]

Does this look like a good formulation? I think I ought to get at least some DHA as I eat no fish at all.

http://www.vitacost....turals-EPA-Xtra

[sUper GeNius]

Here's an interesting link. References studies as recent as 2008. Seems to conclude that the jury is still out regarding DHA vs EPA.

http://www.psycheduc...eds/Omega-3.htm

Edited by FuLL meMbeR, 15 May 2008 - 07:52 AM.

[Ghostrider]

Many studies say it is MORE effective.

Although its effects are not immediately noticible, I would consider fish oil to be the most important supplement that I take, even above a multivitamin. There's just so many reasons to take it.

[hamishm00]

Many studies say it is MORE effective.

Although its effects are not immediately noticible, I would consider fish oil to be the most important supplement that I take, even above a multivitamin. There's just so many reasons to take it.

After a year of taking 4mg a day of high EPA content fish oil, my cholesterol is now at 3.1.

[calengineering]

Many studies say it is MORE effective.

Although its effects are not immediately noticible, I would consider fish oil to be the most important supplement that I take, even above a multivitamin. There's just so many reasons to take it.

After a year of taking 4mg a day of high EPA content fish oil, my cholesterol is now at 3.1.

What was it at before?

[mike250]

regardless of whether or not there was a difference between the independent variables in this study, no placebo means no control. I wouldn't put too much credence into this study. Still, fascinating none the less.

[ortcloud]

Many studies say it is MORE effective.

Although its effects are not immediately noticible, I would consider fish oil to be the most important supplement that I take, even above a multivitamin. There's just so many reasons to take it.

After a year of taking 4mg a day of high EPA content fish oil, my cholesterol is now at 3.1.

Do you mean 4 grams instead of 4mg. ? I am also confused by your cholesterol figure, can you clarify ?

[FunkOdyssey]

I think he means the ratio of Total Cholesterol / HDL cholesterol which is a key risk biomarker. 3.1 is considered pretty decent although there's definitely room to improve.

Edited by FunkOdyssey, 18 May 2008 - 07:49 AM.

[simon007]

I don't want to spoil it all but I'm going to do it anyway

Here's a link to a study showing that placebo's work as well as the real drug, therefore stating that EPA is an impressive antidepressant might be a little bit over the top....

There are still plenty of other good reason's to take fishoil, just as an antidepressant isn't one of them.

Then they showed that there was virtually no difference in the improvement scores for drug and placebo in patients with moderate depression and only a small and clinically insignificant difference among patients with very severe depression.

http://medicine.plos...al.pmed.0050045

[sUper GeNius]

I don't want to spoil it all but I'm going to do it anyway

Here's a link to a study showing that placebo's work as well as the real drug, therefore stating that EPA is an impressive antidepressant might be a little bit over the top....

There are still plenty of other good reason's to take fishoil, just as an antidepressant isn't one of them.

Then they showed that there was virtually no difference in the improvement scores for drug and placebo in patients with moderate depression and only a small and clinically insignificant difference among patients with very severe depression.

http://medicine.plos...al.pmed.0050045

One study clearly does not make your conclusion definitive.

[hamishm00]

Sorry, to clarify, 4 grams a day. Total cholesterol reading was 4.3. Down to 3.1 in about a year, with normal diet (definitely room for improvement).

Edited by hamishm00, 22 May 2008 - 11:03 AM.

[Bghead8che]

regardless of whether or not there was a difference between the independent variables in this study, no placebo means no control. I wouldn't put too much credence into this study. Still, fascinating none the less.

A 50% response from Prozac alone is VERY high considering many SSRIs are not better than a placebo at 30%. The study seems flawed though I do think EPA is good for mood.

-Brian

[kottke]

I've been on 450mgs of pure EPA twice a day since the 9nth of this month making it 2 weeks and a day since i started. My subjective experience with EPA is quite positive so far and I will continue using it for some time to see how it evens out overall.

#1

1: Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 May;87(5):1156-62.
Related Articles, Links

Plasma eicosapentaenoic acid is inversely associated with severity of depressive symptomatology in the elderly: data from the Bordeaux sample of the Three-City Study.

Féart C, Peuchant E, Letenneur L, Samieri C, Montagnier D, Fourrier-Reglat A, Barberger-Gateau P.

INSERM U593, Equipe Epidémiologie de la Nutrition et des Comportements Alimentaires, Bordeaux, France. catherine.feart@isped.u-bordeaux2.fr

BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms are commonly observed in elderly people, and nutritional factors such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been proposed as potential protective determinants of depressive disorders. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyze the relation between plasma fatty acids and severity of depressive symptomatology (DS) in French elderly community dwellers. DESIGN: The study population (mean age: 74.6 y) consisted of 1390 subjects from Bordeaux (France) included in the Three-City Study cohort. DS was evaluated by using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. The use of antidepressant drugs was recorded. The proportion of each plasma fatty acid was determined. Cross-sectional analysis of the association between plasma fatty acids and severity of DS was performed by multilinear regression. RESULTS: Compared with control subjects, subjects with DS were older, were more often women, were more often widowed or single, were of lower income, were receiving antidepressant treatment more frequently, had a lower incidence of hypercholesterolemia, and had lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores (mean: -1.1 point; P < 0.0001). Plasma eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was lower in the subjects with DS than in the control subjects (0.85% compared with 1.01%; P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in any other fatty acid. When adjusted for potential confounders, such as sociodemographic characteristics and health indicators, plasma EPA was inversely associated with the severity of DS (beta = -0.170, P = 0.040) in subjects taking antidepressants. CONCLUSION: Higher plasma EPA was associated with a lower severity of DS in elderly subjects, especially those taking antidepressants.

Publication Types:

* Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't


PMID: 18469234 [PubMed - in process]

Heres a study on mice showing EPA supplementation increases DHA concentration in mice equal to taking DHA itself.

#2

1: Nutrition. 2008 Mar;24(3):245-54.
Related Articles, Links

Dietary eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid equally incorporate as decosahexaenoic acid but differ in inflammatory effects.

Sierra S, Lara-Villoslada F, Comalada M, Olivares M, Xaus J.

Biomedicine Department, Puleva Biotech SA, Granada, Spain. molivares@puleva.es

OBJECTIVE: The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are involved in the modulation of the immune response. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) produced from dietary precursors may not be sufficient to match nutritional requirements and thus should be included in our diet. In this sense, the administration of higher amounts of DHA than of EPA in infant formulations is recommended. The aims of this work were to demonstrate that dietary administration of EPA or DHA to mice allows reaching similar tissue DHA levels and to compare their anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of action. METHODS: Balb/c mice were fed diets enriched with EPA or DHA for 3 wk. Twelve hours before sacrifice, a contact dermatitis was induced in the ears of the animals. Tissue fatty acid contents were determined. Cytokine and immunoglobulin concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and ears were collected to analyze local inflammatory effects. RESULTS: The DHA concentrations attained in tissues were similar to the two diets, whereas the EPA concentration increased only when the diet was enriched with this polyunsaturated fatty acid. Although EPA and DHA reduced ear inflammation, EPA reduced neutrophil infiltration in the ears more efficiently. EPA was associated with a greater reduction in the systemic macrophage inflammatory response and T-helper type 2 response and with increased interleukin-10 production. CONCLUSION: Similar levels of DHA in tissues are reached in mice fed an EPA- or a DHA-enriched diet. Dietary EPA and DHA show anti-inflammatory properties, but EPA appears to be more potent.

[Reformed-Redan]

Can you combine SJW safely with EPA? Anything else that could act synergistically?

[niner]

Can you combine SJW safely with EPA? Anything else that could act synergistically?

I can't think of any reason why not. Since fish oil is a foundational supplement, people combine it with more or less everything.

[Reformed-Redan]

Can you combine SJW safely with EPA? Anything else that could act synergistically?

I can't think of any reason why not. Since fish oil is a foundational supplement, people combine it with more or less everything.

Is there any good combination out there? I know MrHappy got his with uridine. Any more?

[nito]

what happend to the DHA uridina thread, is it moved somewhere secret lol?

[mustardseed41]

One thing I know for sure is fish oil is no match for lithium orotate in the feel good department. (10mg daily)

[calengineering]

I've personally had mild/no results from fish oil. I take 400mg EPA / 200mg DHA 3 times daily. Since I started 3 to 4 years ago, neither my mood not memory has changed at all as far as I can tell. I think I still take it for the supposed health benefits, but I've always felt healthy, especially cardiovascularly.

[nowayout]

I've personally had mild/no results from fish oil. I take 400mg EPA / 200mg DHA 3 times daily. Since I started 3 to 4 years ago, neither my mood not memory has changed at all as far as I can tell.

But are you depressed? If not, why would you expect to notice anything? The claim is that it helps some people with depression, not that it is a feel-good drug for everyone else.

Edited by viveutvivas, 13 February 2012 - 03:45 PM.

[hippocampus]

fish oil is more like a mood stabilizator (at least for me), so I agree that you won't feel so better if you haven't been depressed. But I've also read about some manic reactions in scientific articles (but mania could also be coincidental in these cases).

[calengineering]

I've personally had mild/no results from fish oil. I take 400mg EPA / 200mg DHA 3 times daily. Since I started 3 to 4 years ago, neither my mood not memory has changed at all as far as I can tell.

But are you depressed? If not, why would you expect to notice anything? The claim is that it helps some people with depression, not that it is a feel-good drug for everyone else.

Yes, for several years, and fish oil has not made a difference for me.

[nowayout]

Sorry to hear that. Well, it doesn't take much to be more effective than an SSRI, which are no more effective than placebo overall if all studies are taken into account. In fact, there are studies showing SSRIs to be worse than placebo in the long run (and the short, if you are as old fashioned as to care about side effects such as death), so even if fish oil is simply like a placebo, it will probably outperform an SSRI after 3 or 6 months.

Edited by viveutvivas, 14 February 2012 - 10:47 AM.

[Logan]

Sorry to hear that. Well, it doesn't take much to be more effective than an SSRI, which are no more effective than placebo overall if all studies are taken into account. In fact, there are studies showing SSRIs to be worse than placebo in the long run (and the short, if you are as old fashioned as to care about side effects such as death), so even if fish oil is simply like a placebo, it will probably outperform an SSRI after 3 or 6 months.

You are wrong, flat out wrong. Have you taken an SSRI for six months or more? If not, don't say a word about SSRI's. Until you have experienced their effect yourself, don't go blabbing on about a few studies.

SSRIs work. I was on Zoloft for 7 years. I got off it cold turkey and did ok for a few months. Five months after cessation, I had a major mixed episode, one like I had never experienced in my life. SSRIs do something, and that someting is good for many people that take them. It's not a sugar pill, it's not a placebo effect, it's the real deal. 5ht reuptake inhibition, sigma 1 receptor antagonism or agonism, immunomodulation, and restoration of HPA axis function(which is often impaired after chronic depression/stress/anxiety)-are all things shown in research to be likely part of the therapeutic benefit of SSRIs.

Stop being ignorant. Make sure you've done all your research and had plenty of experience before making statements about SSRIs.

[malden]

I think as long as we dont reconize the many different biological footprints of types in depression,medications have a verry differt workout by individual people.

In my observations there are more than 100 biological causes of depresion, but the pharma just want to see is as `one` that is where to troubles comes out

ssri can help in some types of depressions but not in all, and can even do more harm. for my case the depresion is secondary so supplements that help my wich my medical condition help alsow wifh depresion symptones.

there have to come biological tests )markers so they can point out a specific direction. what they are doing now is schooting wifh a shotgun hoping that they hit a right target.

Edited by malden, 15 February 2012 - 10:44 AM.

[Logan]

SSRIs are not cure for depression. They do not treat the root cause. But, they can help someone recover from depression and chronic anxiety, and they do for many people, not just some. When I know personally know 10 out of 10 people that have been helped by SSRIs, I have to believe there is something to them, and they have a much larger success rate than what many people realize. You have to understand, you cannot just go off a few studies or the people that report negative experiences on the internet. When people are doing well on SSRIs, they are out there living their lives and enjoying them, not coming onto the internet and spending tons of time reporting all the success they have experienced. You also cannot include SSRIs like Paxil. Paxil simply sucks as a treatment for any mental illness/disorder. This drug should only be tried when all else fails. We also need to consider the use of lower doses of SSRIs, which is discussed over on mindandmuscle.net. Are their side effects that often come with SSRIs? Hell yes there are. But, the side effects are often far outweighed by the benefits. Plus, many side effects eventually subside or dissappear. I wonder if all those that are on SSRIs, or have tried SSRIs, are otherwise healthy? Are those being treated exercising, eating right, going to therapy, and making positive social connections?

Fish oil will never hold a candle to what SSRIs have the potential to do as far as offering short and long term relief and remission. If anything, fish oil is simply an adjunctive therapy, and rarely ever is powerful enough to make a dramatic impact on improving symptoms of moderate to severe depression.

[protoject]

^he is a smart man.... listen to him~! might not work for everyone but he's right.

I didn't find EPA very effective at all. [it was almost pure EPA... by Minami nutrition]. Unfortunate. I'm tempted to try high dose but it's probably a waste of money and time.