![Menopause: omega-3s reduce psychological distress](https://img.passeportsante.net/1000x526/2014-03-24/i36008-menopause-les-omega-3-attenueraient-la-detresse-psychologique.jpg)
QUEBEC (PasseportSanté.net) January 29, 2009 – The omega-3s contained in fish oils are said to reduce the symptoms of psychological distress and mild depression in postmenopausal women who suffer from them.
This was revealed by researcher and nutritionist Michel Lucas, from Laval University, during the Santé-Mer conference, which took place in Quebec City recently.
Its results, which have just been published in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition1, were obtained from 120 women in perimenopause or menopause, aged 40 to 55 years.
For eight weeks, half of them took three 500 mg fish oil capsules per day, while the others were given a placebo.
Compared to women in the placebo group, those who consumed fish oils saw their symptoms decrease by 2.7 points on a scale measuring depressive symptoms. “This effect is comparable to that which an antidepressant can provide, without the side effects,” said Michel Lucas.
However, women with severe depression did not get any benefit from taking omega-3s. “We observed a slight improvement, but it was not significant,” says the researcher who believes that a longer clinical trial could demonstrate the effectiveness of fish oils.
Less hot flashes
In addition, another study2 conducted by Michel Lucas indicates that omega-3s would also slightly reduce the number of hot flashes in postmenopausal women.
Before the start of the study, the 91 participants experienced an average of 2.8 hot flashes per day.
After eight weeks, the frequency decreased by 1.5 hot flashes in women treated with the fish oil capsules, compared to 0.5 in those taking a placebo. The daily dose of omega-3 was 500 mg of fish oil, three times a day.
“To confirm these results, however, we will have to perform the same test on a larger number of women,” concluded Michel Lucas.
One in five Quebecers takes omega-3s According to a survey conducted by Michel Lucas and his colleagues, 21% of Quebecers take a daily omega-3 supplement of marine origin. And 13% consume more than one capsule per day. Among Quebec women, 21% of those 45 and over take fish oil supplements, compared to 6% of those under 45. In men, there is no difference. Omega-3s are at 4e ranks among the best-selling natural health products in Canada, behind glucosamine, garlic and echinacea. |
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
1. Lucas M, Dodin S, et al, Ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid for the treatment of psychological distress and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2009 Feb, 89 (2): 641-51.
2. Lucas M, Dodin S, et al, Effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on hot flashes and quality of life among middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, Menopause, 2008 Nov 20 [Epub ahead of print].