This article is from Metagenics Update April/May 2007 page 15

Major depressive disorder is a common disorder in children (2% to 4%) and the use of conventional antidepressant medications in children is not without risk of harm. A new finding suggests that fish oil, containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is an effective and safe therapy for children. Having previously found positive effects of fish oil on adult depression a research group headed by Dr Hanah Nemets decided to investigate the effects of fish oil on depression in children between the ages of 6 to 12 years.

The children received two 500 mg (containing 190 mg EPA and 90 mg DHA) or one 1000 mg (containing 400 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA) capsule daily, depending on their ability to swallow a larger capsule. After 16 weeks 7 of the 10 children who received fish oil supplementation showed at least a 50% reduction in depression scores compared to baseline. No improvements in scores were observed in the placebo supplemented children. Additionally, four of the fish oil supplemented children achieved remission. There were no side-effects reported and none of the children complained of a fishy taste.

Comment:

Major depressive disorder in children is frequently accompanied by poor psychosocial outcome and a high risk of suicide and substance abuse. There is concern that management of childhood depression antidepressant drugs may increase risk for suicide in children and adolescents (Newman TB. N Engl J Med. 2004 Oct 14;351(16):1595-8). The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are known to have an excellent safety profile and play an important role in various mood disorders. This study is the first to suggest a highly significant effect of fish oil supplementation on major depressive symptoms in children.

Children's Omega 3 Complex Supplement

Nemets H, Nemets B, Apter A, et al. Omega-3 treatment of childhood depression: A controlled, double-blind pilot study. Am J Psychiatry. 2006 Jun;163(6):1098-100.