The news came out yesterday that fish oil (omega-3s) does not prevent postpartum depression. This news was based on a large study conducted in Australia, the results of which were just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). It found that pregnant mothers taking the fish oil supplement DHA had essentially the same incidence of postpartum depression as those who didn’t. The authors concluded that DHA supplementation during pregnancy is not necessary, at least not as a preventive measure for PPD.

Here are the questions I have about this news:

  • The study was based on DHA supplementation, not EPA supplementation. (EPA and DHA are both omega-3 fatty acids found in fish.) Would this have any impact on the results?
  • The supplements were only taken starting at the 21st week of pregnancy. Would it have made a difference if they were started earlier?
  • What about when they are taken during the postpartum period?

I’ve read a lot of conflicting reports that omega-3s can be beneficial for postpartum depression, and I’ve reported on them here. So I’m not sure whether everyone should immediately stop bothering to take them because of this study. At the same time, I probably wouldn’t rely on them as my sole countermeasure for fighting PPD.

Interestingly, the LA Times‘ story on the fish oil/PPD study concluded with this quote:

“Dr. Vivien Burt, a specialist in women and mood disorders at UCLA‘s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, said that most women at high risk of postpartum depression would be better off starting an antidepressant immediately after childbirth, and continuing psychotherapy through pregnancy and beyond.”

To read the fish oil study in JAMA, click here.