Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Prevention of Mood and Anxiety Disorders.
10.9758/cpn.2015.13.2.129
- Author:
Kuan Pin SU
1
;
Yutaka MATSUOKA
;
Chi Un PAE
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry and Mind-Body Interface Laboratory (MBI-Lab), China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. cobolsu@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Omega-3 (N-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA);
Depression;
Anxiety disorders;
Psychotic disorders;
Clinical trials
- MeSH:
Anxiety Disorders*;
Anxiety*;
Bipolar Disorder;
Depression;
Fatty Acids, Unsaturated*;
Heart Diseases;
Hepatitis C, Chronic;
Humans;
Mortality, Premature;
Neuronal Plasticity;
Neurotransmitter Agents;
Psychotic Disorders;
Secondary Prevention;
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
- From:Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
2015;13(2):129-137
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Psychiatric disorders in general, and major depression and anxiety disorders in particular, account for a large burden of disability, morbidity and premature mortality worldwide. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have a range of neurobiological activities in modulation of neurotransmitters, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation and neuroplasticity, which could contribute to psychotropic effects. Here we reviewed recent research on the benefits of omega-3 PUFA supplements in prevention against major depression, bipolar disorders, interferon-alpha-induced depression patients with chronic hepatitis C viral infection, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The biological mechanisms underlying omega-3 PUFAs' psychotropic effects are proposed and reviewed. Nutrition is a modifiable environmental factor that might be important in prevention medicine, which have been applied for many years in the secondary prevention of heart disease with omega-3 PUFAs. This review extends the notion that nutrition in psychiatry is a modifiable environmental factor and calls for more researches on prospective clinical studies to justify the preventive application of omega-3 PUFAs in daily practice.
