A decrease in consumption of omega-3 food sources has been associated with an increased risk of incidence of depression in individuals. Today, depression affects an estimated 264 million people globally.
 
In a new study based on data from the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA Brazil), researchers found a significant association between omega-3 fatty acids intake and the maintenance and incidence of depressive episodes in a population of 14,014 adults between the ages of 35 and 74. Maintenance was defined as participants who presented depressive episodes at baseline who participated in follow-up while either presenting depressive episodes or lack of maintenance. Incident depression was defined as a depressive episode that occurred during the longitudinal study.
 
Depressive episodes were calculated using the Clinical Interview Schedule Revised (CIS-R), and food consumption was measured using food frequency questionnaires. Logistic regression was then used to analyze associations between omega-3s consumption and depressive episodes.
 
“Our results showed an important protective effect from the consumption of omega-3 (total and subtypes), with a 2% to 65% reduction in the risk of maintenance of depressive episodes, depending on the fatty acid consumed in the omega-3 family, with borderline significant associations,” the authors of the study wrote. “The consumption of total fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid represented a reduction in the risk of incidence of depressive episodes (9% and 29%, respectively).”
 
After accounting for a number of other factors associated with a depression risk, including sex, age, education level, widows and divorcees, exercise, and drinking, “the study’s results suggest that dietary consumption of omega-3, DHA, EPA, DPA, and alpha-linolenic acid may have a protective effect against the maintenance and incidence of depressive episodes, the authors of the study concluded.