Trim the fat: the role of omega-3 fatty acids in psychopharmacology

摘要: The American Psychiatric Association (APA) currently recommends the use of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for depressive disorders, impulse-control and psychotic disorders in treatment guidelines. This review examines evidence efficacy acids bipolar disorder, anxiety post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosis. Meta-analysis randomized-controlled trials depression are inconclusive, with strong publication bias, sizable heterogeneity between included studies, substantial methodological shortcomings trials. large amount findings RCTs unipolar is likely attributable to highly heterogeneous sample populations that given different supplements [which differ widely eicosapentaenoic (EPA) docosahexaenoic (DHA) content, ratio, dosage] as either adjunctive or monotherapy other existing treatments, then measure several outcomes symptomatology incomplete blinding. Evidence treating psychosis, PTSD, anxiety, mania minimal. current guidelines recommending adulthood psychiatric conditions should be revisited, especially recent negative studies examining effects cardiovascular disease. Recommending ineffective patients, no matter how benign side-effect profile, has opportunity cost (e.g. more effective medications therapies not being utilized) affects patient compliance evidence-based treatments.