Are fish oils an effective therapy in mental illness: an analysis of the data

Ian D. Maidment

doi:10.1034/j.1600-0447.2000.102001003.x

Are fish oils an effective therapy in mental illness: an analysis of the data

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Objective: To review the literature regarding the use of fish oils in the treatment of psychiatric illness.

Method: A Medline search was conducted in September 1999.

Results: Five papers have investigated omega-3 fatty acids levels in depression. One study used omega-3 fatty acids as an adjunctive therapy in bipolar disorder. Four studies used fatty acids as an adjunctive therapy in schizophrenia.

Conclusion: There is a great deal of current research in this field. While omega-3 fatty acids levels may be lowered in depression, there are no data suggesting that omega-3 fatty acids are effective. One paper indicates that omega-3 fatty acids are effective in bipolar disorders. The data on schizophrenia are conflicting. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have proved effective. Most of the evidence suggests that the main effect is an improvement in negative symptoms. One recent study showed that omega-3 fatty acids had no effect on negative symptoms.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	3-11
Number of pages	9
Journal	Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
Volume	102
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0447.2000.102001003.x
Publication status	Published - Jul 2000

Keywords

Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Fatty Acids, Omega-3
Fish Oils
Humans
Mental Disorders
Schizophrenia
Treatment Outcome

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10.1034/j.1600-0447.2000.102001003.x

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title = "Are fish oils an effective therapy in mental illness: an analysis of the data",

abstract = "Objective: To review the literature regarding the use of fish oils in the treatment of psychiatric illness.Method: A Medline search was conducted in September 1999.Results: Five papers have investigated omega-3 fatty acids levels in depression. One study used omega-3 fatty acids as an adjunctive therapy in bipolar disorder. Four studies used fatty acids as an adjunctive therapy in schizophrenia.Conclusion: There is a great deal of current research in this field. While omega-3 fatty acids levels may be lowered in depression, there are no data suggesting that omega-3 fatty acids are effective. One paper indicates that omega-3 fatty acids are effective in bipolar disorders. The data on schizophrenia are conflicting. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have proved effective. Most of the evidence suggests that the main effect is an improvement in negative symptoms. One recent study showed that omega-3 fatty acids had no effect on negative symptoms.",

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KW - Humans

KW - Mental Disorders

KW - Schizophrenia

KW - Treatment Outcome

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Are fish oils an effective therapy in mental illness: an analysis of the data

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Keywords

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