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 .
Comparison of Therapeutic Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Fluoxetine, Separately and in Combination, in Major Depressive Disorder
Objective : To compare therapeutic effects of eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) , fluoxetine and a combination of them in major depression . Method : Sixty out patients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder based on DSM-IV criteria and a score ≥15 in the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HDRS )  were r and omly allocated to receive daily either 1000 mg EPA or 20 mg fluoxetine , or their combination for 8 weeks . Double dummy technique was used to double blind the study . Patients were assessed at 2 week intervals . Change in HDRS was the primary outcome measure . Results : Analysis of covariance for HDRS at week 8 across treatment groups was performed in 48 patients who completed at least 4 weeks of the study , with the last observation carried forward . Treatment , age of onset and baseline HDRS had a significant effect on HDRS at week 8 . EPA + fluoxetine combination was significantly better than fluoxetine or EPA alone from the fourth week of treatment . Fluoxetine and EPA appear to be equally effective in controlling depressive symptoms . Response rates ( ≥50 % decrease in baseline HDRS ) were 50 % , 56 % and 81 % in the fluoxetine , EPA and combination groups , respectively . Conclusions : In the present 8 week trial EPA and fluoxetine had equal therapeutic effects in major depressive disorder . EPA + fluoxetine combination was superior to either of them alone
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 .