Seafood Consumption and Major Depression

The correlation between apparent fish consumption and major depression in a population (MD = K - 0.84(AFC) Hibbeln JR. Fish consumption and Major Depression. LANCET 1998; 351: 1213 is in accord with recent clinical reports of less severe symptoms of depression for individuals with higher concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid in red-blood-cell membranes (r=-0.80, p<0.01) ><0.01). Edwards R, et al. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in the diet and in red blood cell membranes of depressed patients. J Affect Disord. 1998 Mar; 48(2-3): 149-155, as well as with higher ratios of eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid in plasma (r=-0.73, p<0.01). Adams PB, Lawson S, Sanigorski A, Sinclair AJ (1996): Arachidonic to eicosapentaenoic acid ratio in blood correlates positively with clinical symptoms of depression. Lipids 31: S167-S176.

Other reports confirm the lower values for omega-3 contents in lipids of depressed patients. Peet M, Murphy B, Edwards R, Shay J, Horrobin D. Depletion of omega-3 fatty acid levels in red blood cell membranes of depressive patients. Biol Psychiatry. 1998; 43(5): 315-319. Edwards R, et al. Depletion of docosahexaenoic acid in red blood cell membranes of depressive patients. Biochem Soc Trans. 1998 May; 26(2): S142. Maes M, Smith R, Christophe A, Cosyns P, Desnyder R, Meltzer H (1996): Fatty acid composition in major depression: decreased omega 3 fractions in cholesteryl esters and increased C20: 4 omega6/C20:5 omega 3 ratio in cholesteryl esters and phospholipids. J Affect Disord 38:1:35-46.