TY - JOUR
T1 - Supplementation-induced increase in circulating omega-3 serum levels is not associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms
T2 - Results from the MooDFOOD depression prevention trial
AU - Thesing, Carisha S.
AU - Milaneschi, Yuri
AU - Bot, Mariska
AU - Brouwer, Ingeborg A.
AU - Owens, Matt
AU - Hegerl, Ulrich
AU - Gili, Margalida
AU - Roca, Miquel
AU - Kohls, Elisabeth
AU - Watkins, Ed
AU - Visser, Marjolein
AU - Penninx, Brenda W.J.H.
PY - 2020/11
Y1 - 2020/11
N2 - Background: There is ambiguity on how omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are associated with depression, and what the temporality of the association might be. The present study aimed to examine whether (intervention-induced changes in) n-3 PUFA levels were associated with (changes in) depressive symptoms. Methods: Baseline, 6- and 12-month follow-up data on 682 overweight and subclinically depressed persons from four European countries that participated in the MooDFOOD depression prevention randomized controlled trial were used. Participants were allocated to four intervention groups: (a) placebos, (b) placebos and food-related behavioral activation therapy (F-BA), (c) multinutrient supplements (fish oil and multivitamin), and (d) multinutrient supplements and F-BA. Depressive symptoms were measured using the inventory of depressive symptomatology. PUFA levels (µmol/L) were measured using gas chromatography. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographics, lifestyle, and somatic health. Results: Increases in n-3 PUFA, docosahexaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid levels over time were significantly larger in the supplement groups than in placebo groups. Change in PUFA levels was not significantly associated with the change in depressive symptoms (β =.002, SE = 0.003, p =.39; β =.003, SE = 0.005, p =.64; β =.005, SE = 0.005, p =.29; β = −.0002, SE = 0.0004, p =.69). Baseline PUFA levels did not modify the intervention effects on depressive symptoms. Conclusions: In overweight and subclinical depressed persons, multinutrient supplements led to significant increases in n-3 PUFA levels over time, which were not associated with changes in depressive symptoms. Multinutrient supplements do not seem to be an effective preventive strategy in lowering depressive symptoms over time in these at-risk groups.
AB - Background: There is ambiguity on how omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are associated with depression, and what the temporality of the association might be. The present study aimed to examine whether (intervention-induced changes in) n-3 PUFA levels were associated with (changes in) depressive symptoms. Methods: Baseline, 6- and 12-month follow-up data on 682 overweight and subclinically depressed persons from four European countries that participated in the MooDFOOD depression prevention randomized controlled trial were used. Participants were allocated to four intervention groups: (a) placebos, (b) placebos and food-related behavioral activation therapy (F-BA), (c) multinutrient supplements (fish oil and multivitamin), and (d) multinutrient supplements and F-BA. Depressive symptoms were measured using the inventory of depressive symptomatology. PUFA levels (µmol/L) were measured using gas chromatography. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographics, lifestyle, and somatic health. Results: Increases in n-3 PUFA, docosahexaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid levels over time were significantly larger in the supplement groups than in placebo groups. Change in PUFA levels was not significantly associated with the change in depressive symptoms (β =.002, SE = 0.003, p =.39; β =.003, SE = 0.005, p =.64; β =.005, SE = 0.005, p =.29; β = −.0002, SE = 0.0004, p =.69). Baseline PUFA levels did not modify the intervention effects on depressive symptoms. Conclusions: In overweight and subclinical depressed persons, multinutrient supplements led to significant increases in n-3 PUFA levels over time, which were not associated with changes in depressive symptoms. Multinutrient supplements do not seem to be an effective preventive strategy in lowering depressive symptoms over time in these at-risk groups.
KW - MooDFOOD
KW - omega-3
KW - prevention
KW - subclinical depression
KW - supplement
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85089855698&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85089855698&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23092
DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23092
M3 - Article
C2 - 32845021
SN - 1091-4269
VL - 37
SP - 1079
EP - 1088
JO - Depression and anxiety
JF - Depression and anxiety
IS - 11
ER -