Healthnotes Newswire (May 29, 2008)—Sometimes one of the many emotional and physical changes women experience as they prepare to give birth, depression during and after pregnancy has very few treatment options that are considered safe for pregnant and nursing mothers. Fortunately, a new study found that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids from fish can safely relieve pregnancy-related depression.

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, followed the progress of 36 pregnant women who began experiencing major depression during their second and third trimesters. They were given either 2.2 grams of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) plus 1.2 grams of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) per day or a placebo for eight weeks.

Depression symptoms began to diminish within the first two weeks after starting treatment. The women using the omega-3 supplements saw greater improvement than the women in the placebo group, and this difference was more dramatic at weeks six and eight.

Hoping for a happy, healthy pregnancy

Mothers-to-be and their doctors are often anxious about using medications during pregnancy out of concern for the developing fetus. There is evidence that antidepressant medications might be associated with a higher rate of complications around childbirth, including premature delivery and low birth weight in newborns. On the other hand, untreated depression in pregnancy can also pose problems for the mother and baby.

Low levels of EPA and DHA have been linked to increased risk of depression, and several studies have foundthat omega-3 fatty acids from fish can be helpful. Pregnant women have lower levels of these fatty acids, as well as a number of other nutrients, because the growing fetus draws nutrients from the mother. Some studies have suggested that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy might benefit the fetus because these fatty acids are essential for normal neurological development.

“Mothers and their healthcare providers want treatments for pregnancy-related depression that are harmless for both the infant and mother, during pregnancy and nursing,” said lead study author Dr. Kuan-Pin Su at the Mind–Body Interface Center of the China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan. “In light of our findings, omega-3 fatty acids are a promising treatment option for depression during pregnancy. Further research will help to determine optimal dosage and ratio of EPA and DHA in treating depression during pregnancy and breast-feeding.”

Getting omega-3s in the diet

EPA and DHA are produced by cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, and herring. Expecting mothers should steer clear of fish with high levels of mercury, a heavy metal contaminant that can cause neurological problems. Best bets include canned chunk light tuna, pink salmon, and herring, which are low in mercury and rich in EPA and DHA. The Natural Resource Defense Council, using data from the US Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency, has determined that as much as 12 ounces of canned chunk light tuna per week can safely be eaten during pregnancy.

Another way to get EPA and DHA is by eating omega-3 eggs, which come from chickens that have been fed a diet high in flax meal. Flaxseeds are rich in an omega-3 fatty acid that is converted to EPA and DHA by the chicken.

Mothers-to-be can increase their chance of being healthy throughout pregnancy by staying well-nourished; eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts and seeds; avoiding alcohol, refined sugar, and excessive caffeine; and staying physically active. Including some cold-water fish and omega-3 eggs, and possibly taking an EPA/DHA supplement, might also help them avoid pregnancy-related depression.

(J Clin Psychiatry 2008:e1–e8)