I S M van der Wurff1, C von Schacky2, T Bergeland3, R Leontjevas4, M P Zeegers5, P A Kirschner6, R H M de Groot7. 1. Faculty of Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, the Netherlands, Heerlen 6419 AT, the Netherlands. Electronic address: inge.vanderwurff@ou.nl. 2. Omegametrix, Martinsried 82 152, Germany; Preventive Cardiology, Medical Clinic and Poli-Clinic I, Ludwig Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany. 3. Aker BioMarine Antarctic AS, Lysaker NO-1327, Norway (former). 4. Faculty of Psychology, Open University of the Netherlands, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands. 5. Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (School NUTRIM), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; Care and Public Health Research Institute (School CAPHRI), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. 6. Faculty of Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, the Netherlands, Heerlen 6419 AT, the Netherlands; Expertise Centre for Effective Learning, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Mechelen, Belgium; University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. 7. Faculty of Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, the Netherlands, Heerlen 6419 AT, the Netherlands; Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (School NUTRIM), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Observational 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. METHODS: A 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. RESULTS: Both intention-to-treat and assessing the change in O3I analyses did not show significant effects on CES-D or RSE scores. CONCLUSION: There 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.
RCT Entities:
INTRODUCTION: Observational 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. METHODS: A 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. RESULTS: Both intention-to-treat and assessing the change in O3I analyses did not show significant effects on CES-D or RSE scores. CONCLUSION: There 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.