Effect of Omega-3 Supplements on Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Memory and Sleep Quality Among Saudi Adults: A Double-Blind Placebo Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
This study looked at whether taking omega-3 supplements can help reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and improve memory and sleep quality in Saudi adults who feel highly stressed or anxious. Omega-3 is a healthy fat found in fish oil that may help the brain and mood.
A total of 64 adults took part. They were randomly split into two groups. One group took omega-3 capsules (500 mg EPA + 250 mg DHA) every day for three months. The other group took a placebo (an inactive oil). Neither the participants nor the researchers knew who was taking which capsules to keep the study fair.
Before and after the three months, all participants completed simple questionnaires about their stress, anxiety, depression, sleep, and everyday memory.
The results showed that people who took omega-3 had lower stress, anxiety, and depression scores and reported better sleep quality and memory compared to those who took the placebo.
This suggests that taking omega-3 supplements may help improve mental wellbeing and sleep in people with high stress and anxiety.
Conditions: Healthy Adults, Anxiety, Depression, Sleep Quality, Everyday Memory, Psychological Distress.
Primary outcome: Change from the baseline for the following scales: Perceived Stress General Anxiety Disorder-7 Depression Level measured using PHQ-9 Sleep Quality Daytime sleepiness and sleep disorders Memory failure in everyday life..
Enrollment: 64 participants.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 64 participants or records.
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