From the Guidelines
Dietary Supplements for Psychiatric Illnesses Certain supplements have demonstrated potential benefits in alleviating symptoms of psychiatric illnesses, including omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA, which have shown efficacy in reducing symptoms of depression at doses of 1000-2000mg per day for 6-12 weeks 1. The recommended therapeutic dosages should aim for 1–2 g/day of total EPA from pure EPA or 1–2 g/day EPA from an EPA/DHA (>2:1) combination 1. Additionally, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) at 400-1600mg per day for 6-12 weeks has been found to have antidepressant effects, although it should be held 24 hours before surgery 1.
- Key Considerations:
- Omega-3 fatty acids: EPA and DHA have shown efficacy in reducing symptoms of depression, with a recommended dose of 1-2 g/day for 6-12 weeks 1.
- S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe): has antidepressant effects, but should be held 24 hours before surgery 1.
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and Vitamin D may also have benefits in reducing symptoms of psychiatric illnesses, although the evidence is not as strong as for omega-3 fatty acids and SAMe 1.
- Important Notes:
- Clinicians should monitor adverse effects systematically, including gastrointestinal and dermatological conditions, and obtain a comprehensive metabolic panel in patients receiving higher doses of n–3 PUFAs 1.
- The use of these supplements should be individualized and based on a thorough clinical evaluation, taking into account the patient's medical history, current medications, and potential interactions 1.
From the Research
Dietary Supplements for Psychiatric Illnesses
- Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to be effective in managing psychiatric illnesses, particularly in mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The most promising results have been reported with high doses of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or the combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids 2, 3.
- Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to be safe and well-tolerated at doses up to 5 g/day 2.
- Some evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may also be beneficial in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), borderline personality disorder, and anxiety disorders, although the results are inconsistent 3, 4.
Specific Psychiatric Disorders
- Depression: Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, have been found to reduce symptoms of depression 3, 4, 5.
- Bipolar disorder: Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression in bipolar disorder 2, 3.
- Schizophrenia: The evidence for the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids in schizophrenia is not conclusive 2, 4.
- ADHD: Small beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids have been observed in ADHD 3, 4.
- Borderline personality disorder: Some evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial in reducing symptoms of borderline personality disorder 2, 4.
Safety and Efficacy
- Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to be safe and well-tolerated at doses up to 5 g/day 2.
- The combination of EPA and DHA has been found to be more efficacious in treating depressive symptoms than either fatty acid alone 5.
- Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has been shown to augment the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressant, mood-stabilizer, and second-generation antipsychotic medications 6.