Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Benefit Depressed, Improve Skin

Omega-3 fatty acids always seem to be in the news. Two new unrelated studies have found two very distinct and very different benefits. The first study has found that a diet high in the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), may reduce the risk of depression in the elderly,¹ while the second study found that the omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may improve the symptoms of eczema.²

The first study, which appeared in the May issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, involved 1390 elderly male and female people (65% female) living in retirement communities from the Three-City Study in Bordeaux, France. The participants in the study had their symptoms of depression evaluated using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and cognitive health was evaluated with the Mini-Mental State Examination. Blood samples were also taken so that fatty acid levels could be evaluated. The researchers found levels of EPA was lower in those with depressive symptoms than in the healthy controls. EPA levels were 0.85% in the depressed individuals and 1.01% in the healthy controls. The researchers also found that there was an inverse association with the severity of depressive symptoms and blood levels of EPA (lower EPA was associated with greater depression) among patients taking antidepressants. The researchers did not find any other associations between depression and other omega-3 fatty acids. The researchers concluded "higher plasma EPA was associated with a lower severity of [depressive symptoms] in elderly subjects, especially those taking antidepressants."

In recent years there has been growing evidence of a relationship between the "Western diet" and an increase in the occurrences of eczema. Specifically, that the increase in eczema is directly related to a decrease in the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and an increase in the consumption of omega-6.

In a study appearing in the June issue of the British Journal of Dermatology, 53 patients suffering from eczema were recruited into a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial to determine what, if any, impact DHA had on eczema. The participants received either DHA (5400 mg daily) or a control consisting of saturated fatty acids for 8 weeks. The participants' symptoms were evaluated at baseline, week 4, week 8, and in a follow-up at week 20. The symptoms were assessed by the SCORAD (severity scoring of atopic dermatitis) index. The participants in the DHA group had a "significant clinical improvement" of eczema in terms of a decrease SCORAD index. Those in the DHA group had an average score of 37 at baseline and a score of 28.5 at 8 weeks. Comparatively, the control group scored 35.4 at baseline and 33.4 at week 8. Markers of inflammation and immune response, another indicator of eczema, was also reduced in the DHA group. The researchers concluded "our data suggest that dietary DHA could be bioactive and might have a beneficial impact on the outcome of atopic eczema, but our results need to be confirmed in a larger study."

These two studies demonstrate the wide variety of health benefits that may be derived from a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids. Foods high in fatty acts include some cold-water fish, omega-3 eggs, ground flax seeds and flax seed oil. Learn more about some of the recent findings and potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids here, and read about our Omega-3 Fish Oil, Extra-Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil, and Flaxseed.

Our Vegetarian DHA Omega-3 is not just for vegetarians. This fish-free, gelatin-free product satisfies just about any dietary constraint, and they are ecologically sustainable. Much smaller capsules means that they are easy to swallow, too! Read more about our Vegetarian DHA Omega-3.

1. Feart, C., E. Peuchant, et al. (2008). "Plasma eicosapentaenoic acid is inversely associated with severity of depressive symptomatology in the elderly: data from the Bordeaux sample of the Three-City Study." Am J Clin Nutr 87(5): 1156-62.

2.Koch, C., S. Dolle, et al. (2008). "Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in atopic eczema: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial." Br J Dermatol 158(4): 786-92.