PTSD and the Attenuating Effects of Fish Oils: Results of Supplementation After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake
Abstract
1.1. Evidence of effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on depression and anxietydisorderOmega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are essential fatty acids that cannot be synthesized byhumans de novo and must therefore be obtained through the diet. Omega-3 PUFAs arespeculated to be beneficial against psychiatric disorders, especially depression, and anincreasing growing number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been carried out toverify their efficacy. In fact, a number of previous meta-analyses of RCTs support the positiveeffects of omega-3 PUFAs supplementation in reducing depressive symptoms [1-7]. However,a recent meta-analysis by Bloch and Hannestad in 2011 found that nearly all evidence ofomega-3 PUFAs benefit was removed after adjusting for publication bias [8]. Their meta-analysis has subsequently been criticized by two papers published in quick succession [6, 7].One of these papers, by Martins et al [6], pointed out methodological flaws with Bloch andHannestad's analysis. For example, Bloch and Hannestad’s analysis included the studyexamining individuals without formal psychiatric diagnosis, and 2 other studies satisfyingtheir inclusion criteria were not included. Martins et al concluded that supplements containingEPA ≥60% of total EPA + DHA were effective against depression, a finding in agreement with
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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.
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