Omega-3 fatty acids are a promising treatment for postpartum depression because of evidence from clinical trials, the advantage in safety, and their anti-inflammatory and cognitive health effects.
In this meta-analysis, omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and EPA were analyzed in women suffering from postpartum depression. The meta-analysis included 12 eligible studies available as of December 2016.
There were significantly lower levels of total omega-3, DHA and EPA, as well as significantly increased omega-6 levels in the postpartum patients, when compared against healthy women controls. The omega-6/ omega-3 ratio was significantly increased in both the prenatal and postnatal depression subgroups, validating the theory that an elevated intake of omega-6s and a low intake of omega-3s are a causative factor in postpartum depression.
According to the researchers:
“Our findings provide a strong rationale to conduct clinical trials to test the therapeutic and prophylactic effects of omega-3 fatty acids in postpartum depression.”