Low Omega-3 Levels Linked to Higher Depression Risk During Interferon Therapy
This study followed 138 people with hepatitis C who were being treated with interferon-alpha, a medication known to sometimes trigger depression as a side effect. Researchers measured each person’s baseline blood levels of arachidonic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) before treatment began.
People with lower baseline DHA, higher DGLA, and especially a higher ratio of arachidonic acid to combined EPA+DHA were more likely to develop depression during interferon treatment. This ratio remained a meaningful predictor even after accounting for other factors like sleep quality and race.
The researchers also found that this fatty acid ratio was connected to levels of interleukin-6, an inflammatory marker, suggesting that the balance between these fatty acids may relate to depression risk through effects on inflammation.
What this means for you
This research suggests that a person’s baseline balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids may relate to vulnerability to mood changes triggered by an inflammatory medical treatment. It does not show that taking omega-3 supplements prevents or treats depression, but it adds to a body of research exploring how fatty acid status and inflammation may be connected to mood.
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Brain, Behavior, and Immunity · 2012-08-19 · DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2012.08.007
Read the original source ↗This summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.