Popular omega-3 supplements fail to improve depressive symptoms in young people
Medical Xpress••health
Key Points:
- A large clinical trial involving 257 participants aged 8 to 18 found that omega-3 supplements did not improve depression symptoms more than a placebo when added to standard treatment for moderate-to-severe depression.
- Both the omega-3 and placebo groups showed similar improvements in quality of life and reductions in suicidal ideation, indicating no additional benefit from fish oil supplements.
- The study highlights concerns that reliance on unproven natural supplements like omega-3s may delay evidence-based treatment, potentially prolonging depression and increasing suicide risk among youth.
- Conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the trial did not control for factors such as social media use, which could have influenced the results, suggesting the need for further research.
