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Lee Swanson Research Update
Low Levels of EPA Linked to Depression in Elderly
Increased blood levels of the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may reduce the severity of symptoms of depression in the elderly, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
In undertaking the study, French researchers noted: “Depressive symptoms are commonly observed in elderly people, and nutritional factors such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been proposed as potential protective determinants of depressive disorders.”
The study of 1,390 subjects from Bordeaux in France reports that EPA levels in people with depressive symptoms were on average 0.16% lower than in normal people. “The novel finding of our survey was the significant association observed between plasma EPA and severity of the depressive symptomatology (DS) in aged subjects already taking antidepressant medication,” added the researchers, led by Pascale Barberger-Gateau.
The researchers recruited 1,390 subjects (average age 74.6, 65% women). Symptoms of depression were evaluated using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, while blood samples were taken in order to measure fatty acid levels in the blood.
People with depression were older than control subjects without any symptoms of depression. They also performed less well on the Mini-Mental State Examination than their younger control comparisons.
No significant differences were observed between subjects when the researchers considered fatty acid percentages and ratios in relation to depression symptoms, except for EPA levels. Plasma EPA was 0.85% in the subjects with depression, compared to 1.01% in healthy controls. The inverse association between EPA and depression was also observed when the researchers considered people taking antidepressants.
The researchers called for additional studies to support the relationship between PUFA levels and symptoms of depression.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 87(5):1156-1162, 2008
