When news comes out that fish oil does not prevent postpartum depression, all the people who felt they knew that all along retweet it endlessly on Twitter. When news comes out that fish oil can prevent postpartum depression, all the people who already believed that tweet it endlessly. What bugs me is that I don’t see any of those people asking questions or delving further.
A few months ago, a study was published that found fish oil is not effective when taken as a preventive measure during pregnancy to prevent postpartum depression. The study was conducted in Australia and involved 2,399 women and 800 milligrams daily of DHA from the 21st week of pregnancy on.
This week a different study was published which found fish oil consumed during pregnancy can reduce risk of postpartum depression. The study was conducted in the US and involved 52 women and consuming 300 milligrams of DHA five days per week from the 24th week of pregnancy on.
The LA Times‘ Booster Shots column was smart enough to point out how small the second study was that everyone is trumpeting this week: “But a reality check:This study involved only 52 people.Fifty-two. There simply weren’t enough participants to determinewhether there were fewer diagnosed depression cases in the fish oil group.” You wouldn’t have known that, however, from most of the headlines I saw. The people on Twitter who retweeted the new study thousands of times as though it was gospel, and have impact on many thousands of others, haven’t asked those questions.
We have to, though. Because we know how important it is to find real answers and real solutions to a very serious illness. In the end, it may turn out that fish oil does work to prevent PPD. Or not. Or maybe it’s EPA and not DHA. For now, we can’t consider it the magic cure.
I took fish oil faithfully during pregnancy. For brain development…not PPD prevention. I was hit hard with PPD/PPA…so it didn't work for me!!!
Well nothing is a 'magic cure' but fish oil has been used successfully to treat schizophrenia (sorry that I don't have the link to the study handy) when used in very high doses (40,000 IU). Neither of the studies you listed above had administration rates anywhere near that so does the fish oil work or not? Neither study gets us there regardless of sample size until the quantity, time and perhaps even manner of administration were also studied. Personally I found that my rX meds work better when I am using fish oil concurrently (12,000 IU/day)- how about that study?
I do not think the full paper of this new report is available yet. In this randomized controlled trial, it is possible women already known to be at risk for PPD were the ones who selected to participate, as they would have been participating in a study specifically designed for PPD prevention. A group of women at risk for PPD (i.e., had it before) would not necessarily have the same result as women from a more general sample of pregnant women, and could respond differently.
Most of the evidence for fish oil is for EPA. The only reason DHA could be more important in the PPD case is because of the needs of the baby for DHA. Personally, I take a supplement with high amounts of both.
When I was already in the throes of my PPMDs, fish oil was recommended to me by several sources. Based on my own research and conversations with knowledgeable people, it's important to take a high quality fish oil because there is less chance that the oil will be rancid (and less effective).
Also, on the prevention/non-prevention debate. I think, in their own way, each side could be right. I don't think fish oil is a cure or absolute prevention for depression, but I think it gives the taker a boost and helps allevaite the symptoms of depression. So if someone starts taking it during pregnancy BEFORE they experience any PPD and never sinks into that low PPD feeling, but maybe stays at the level of blue or malaise, then it might be viewed as prevention.
Ok, but there’s no reason not to take it. What’s certain is that DHA is critical for brain development, not to mention the benefits for YOU–cardiovascular benefits, anti-inflammatory properties, good for eye health, and on and on and on! And unless you can’t afford it, why not take it? If there’s even a chance it could help slightly to decrease the likelihood of PPD or lessen the symptoms, well, that’s an added bonus! Sure, it’s probably a good idea to warn people so that they don’t get their hopes up unnecessarily, but this post seems to intended to completely discourage people from even trying fish oil. I think that’s sad. Americans consume such low levels of healthy fats, and healthy nutrients in general! It’s sad that we can’t be convinced to incorporate powerful nutrients into our diet unless we can be 100% assured that they’ll produce the desired effect immediately. It’s probably that mindset that has us all in poor physical and mental health to begin with.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. I get the cheap fish oil capsules from Costco. No worry about mercury because they use sardines, which are extremely low-mercury fish.