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. 2004 Mar;161(3):567-9.
doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.161.3.567.

Is low dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids associated with depression?

Reeta Hakkarainen  1 , Timo Partonen, Jari Haukka, Jarmo Virtamo, Demetrius Albanes, Jouko Lönnqvist
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Is low dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids associated with depression?

Reeta Hakkarainen et al. Am J Psychiatry. 2004 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the association between the dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids and low mood, major depression, and suicide.

Method: A total of 29,133 men ages 50 to 69 years participated in a population-based trial in Finland. The intake of fatty acids and fish consumption were calculated from a diet history questionnaire. Self-reported depressed mood was recorded three times annually, data on hospital treatments due to a major depressive disorder were derived from the National Hospital Discharge Register, and suicides were identified from death certificates.

Results: There were no associations between the dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids or fish consumption and depressed mood, major depressive episodes, or suicide.

Conclusions: Dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids showed no association with low mood level.

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Comment in

  • Omega-3 fatty acids and depression.
    Astorg P. Astorg P. Am J Psychiatry. 2005 Feb;162(2):402; author reply 402-3. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.162.2.402-a. Am J Psychiatry. 2005. PMID: 15677617 No abstract available.

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