New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests supplements of omega-3 fatty acids may help patients suffering from heart disease and depression.
The research also found the initial omega-3 fatty acid levels in a heart patient's blood significantly affect whether the patient will respond to omega-3 supplements to treat depression. For instance, people with higher levels of omega-3 in their blood may benefit more from additional omega-3, in the form of supplements, than those whose blood levels of the fatty acids were lower at the outset.
"Most researchers have relied on dietary information," Dr. Carney said. "You can make a crude estimate based on that information, but we found in our new study that there was a relatively weak correlation between what patients report about omega-3 in their diets and their actual blood levels."
The study is published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
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