15 Sep Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Reduce Anxiety
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Yutaka MATSUOKA, MD, PhD
Division Chief of Health Care Research,
Behavioral Sciences and Survivorship Research Group,
Center for Public Health Sciences,
National Cancer Center Japan
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Anxiety is the most commonly experienced psychiatric symptom. We have now two major treatment options that include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy. However, CBT is time-consuming, costly, and limited in availability. And there is concern over potential side effects in pharmacotherapy. Evidence-based and safer treatment options are required. Omega-3 fatty acids have potential preventive and therapeutic effects on depression and anxiety. Clinical and preclinical studies support the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids as a treatment for anxiety disorders. Despite the largely positive findings of these trials, the clinical application of the findings is unfortunately limited by their small sample size.
Improvement in anxiety symptoms were associated with omega-3 fatty acids treatment compared with controls. The anxiolytic effects of omega-3 fatty acids were also stronger in patients with clinical conditions than in subclinical populations.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Omega-3 fatty acid treatment for anxiety might be effective in clinical setting. Because of preliminary and heterogeneous participants among the recruited studies, clinicians should pay attention when applied these results in clinical practice.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: We suggested that larger and well-designed clinical trials with omega-3 fatty acids at high doses, provided as monotherapy and as adjunctive treatment to standard therapy should be warranted. In an area of cancer survivorship, we are investigating planning clinical research to
Disclosures: I have received donations from Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd outside thus work.
Citation:
[wysija_form id=”3″]
[last-modified]
The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.
Last Updated on September 15, 2018 by Marie Benz MD FAAD