Abstract
IntroductionObservational studies have shown a relationship between omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) and depression in adolescents. However, n-3 LCPUFA supplementation studies investigating the potential improvement in depressive feelings in adolescents from the general population are missing. MethodsA one-year double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled krill oil supplementation trial was conducted in two cohorts. Cohort I started with 400 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or placebo, after three months this increased to 800 mg EPA and DHA per day, whilst cohort II started with this higher dose. Omega-3 Index (O3I) was monitored via finger-prick blood measurements. At baseline, six and 12 months participants completed the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Rosenberg Self Esteem questionnaire (RSE). Adjusted mixed models were run with treatment allocation/O3I as predictor of CES-D and RSE scores. ResultsBoth intention-to-treat and assessing the change in O3I analyses did not show significant effects on CES-D or RSE scores. ConclusionThere is no evidence for less depressive feelings, or higher self-esteem after one year of krill oil supplementation. However, due to a lack of adherence and drop-out issues, these results should be interpreted with caution.
Highlights
Observational studies have shown a relationship between omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) and depression in adolescents
The current krill oil supplementation trial in adolescents attending lower general secondary education (LGSE) who had a low baseline Omega-3 Index (O3I) did not show improvements in depressive feelings in the krill oil supplementation condition compared to placebo, nor did supplementation lead to a higher self-esteem score
Sensitivity analyses did not show an association of higher O3I with a lower depression score or better self-esteem score
Summary
Observational studies have shown a relationship between omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) and depression in adolescents. N-3 LCPUFA supplementation studies investigating the potential improvement in depressive feelings in adolescents from the general population are missing. Six and 12 months participants completed the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Rosenberg Self Esteem questionnaire (RSE). Conclusion: There is no evidence for less depressive feelings, or higher self-esteem after one year of krill oil supplementation. Whilst relatively uncommon in childhood (prevalence in the 6–12 months prior to assessment of 0.4–2.5%) [2], depression prevalence increases sharply during adolescence [3], approximately 14–25% of adolescents experiences at least one episode of depression before the age of 18 years [4]. Sub-threshold depression is common in adolescence with point prevalence between 0.24 and 14%, and life-time prevalence (i.e., life-time being up to age of measurement during adolescences) between 1 and 22.9% [8, 9]. The prevalence numbers vary in different populations (ages, gender, coun try), and due to the manner in which depression is assessed and according to criteria for (subthreshold) depression used
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