Mixed results were found for zinc , folic acid , vitamin C , and tryptophan , with nonsignificant results for inositol .
No major adverse effects were noted in the studies ( aside from minor digestive disturbance ) .
A meta- analysis of adjunctive omega-3 versus placebo revealed a significant and moderate to strong effect in favor of omega-3 .
Conversely , a meta- analysis of folic acid revealed a nonsignificant difference from placebo .
Current evidence supports adjunctive use of SAMe , methylfolate , omega-3 , and vitamin D with antidepressants to reduce depressive symptoms
OBJECTIVE There is burgeoning interest in augmentation strategies for improving inadequate response to antidepressants .
The adjunctive use of st and ardized pharmaceutical- grade nutrients , known as nutraceuticals , has the potential to modulate several neurochemical pathways implicated in depression .
While many studies have been conducted in this area , to date no specialized systematic review ( or meta- analysis ) has been conducted .
Eicosapentaenoic acid versus docosahexaenoic acid in mild-to-moderate depression: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Controversy exists as to whether eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) or docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) or both are responsible for the efficacy of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in depression . We conducted a single-center , r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , multi-arm , parallel-group trial , comparing the efficacy of EPA versus DHA as adjuvants to maintenance medication treatments for mild-to-moderate depression . Eighty-one mild-to-moderately depressed out patients were r and omly assigned to receive either 1g/d of EPA or DHA or placebo ( coconut oil ) for 12 weeks . The primary outcome measure was the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HDRS ) final score in the modified intention-to-treat population , which comprised of all r and omized patients with at least 1 post-r and omization observation ( n=62 ; 61.3 % female ; mean age 35.1 ± 1.2 years ) . Allocated treatments were well tolerated . Although there was no significant difference between groups at baseline , patients in the EPA group showed a significantly lower mean HDRS score at study endpoint compared with those in the DHA ( p<0.001 ) or placebo ( p=0.002 ) groups . Furthermore , response to treatment ( defined as a ≥ 50 % decrease from the baseline HDRS score ) was only observed in 6 patients receiving EPA , while no one in any of DHA or placebo groups responded to treatment . Overall , these data suggest greater efficacy of EPA compared to DHA or placebo as an adjunctive treatment in mild-to-moderate depression . However , further , r and omized controlled trials are needed to support these findings
Mixed results were found for zinc , folic acid , vitamin C , and tryptophan , with nonsignificant results for inositol .
No major adverse effects were noted in the studies ( aside from minor digestive disturbance ) .
A meta- analysis of adjunctive omega-3 versus placebo revealed a significant and moderate to strong effect in favor of omega-3 .
Conversely , a meta- analysis of folic acid revealed a nonsignificant difference from placebo .
Current evidence supports adjunctive use of SAMe , methylfolate , omega-3 , and vitamin D with antidepressants to reduce depressive symptoms
OBJECTIVE There is burgeoning interest in augmentation strategies for improving inadequate response to antidepressants .
The adjunctive use of st and ardized pharmaceutical- grade nutrients , known as nutraceuticals , has the potential to modulate several neurochemical pathways implicated in depression .
While many studies have been conducted in this area , to date no specialized systematic review ( or meta- analysis ) has been conducted .