Lack of omega-3 linked to depression

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 29 (UPI) -- A U.S. study of depressed adults found a relationship between lower omega-3 fatty acids and markers of depression and inflammation.

The analysis in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found low levels of omega-3 may be an important variable in the formation of depression and stress.

Researchers at Ohio State University in Columbus focused on a group of 43 middle-aged to elderly men and women, nearly half of whom were caregivers of spouses or people with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.

Participants who had much more omega-6 -- compared to omega-3 fatty acids -- reported more symptoms of depression and had much higher levels of inflammation. Inflammation has been linked to heart disease and other diseases.

"This study has shown even in people who did not take supplements, maybe just a little bit more omega-3 could help reduce their markers for both stress and depression," study co-author Martha Belury, an associate professor at the university, said in a statement.