Omega-3 supplements in the prevention and treatment of youth depression and anxiety symptoms: A scoping review.

<h4>Introduction</h4>Omega-3 supplements may be efficacious in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults, particularly as an adjunct to antidepressant medication. However, research in young people is limited. Thus, this scoping review aimed to summarise existing evidence on t...

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Main Authors: Natalie M Reily, Samantha Tang, Ashlee Negrone, Daniel Z Q Gan, Veronica Sheanoda, Helen Christensen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2023-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0284057&type=printable
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author Natalie M Reily
Samantha Tang
Ashlee Negrone
Daniel Z Q Gan
Veronica Sheanoda
Helen Christensen
author_facet Natalie M Reily
Samantha Tang
Ashlee Negrone
Daniel Z Q Gan
Veronica Sheanoda
Helen Christensen
author_sort Natalie M Reily
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Introduction</h4>Omega-3 supplements may be efficacious in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults, particularly as an adjunct to antidepressant medication. However, research in young people is limited. Thus, this scoping review aimed to summarise existing evidence on the efficacy of omega-3 supplementation in treating depression and anxiety symptoms in young people aged 14-24. A secondary aim was to determine whether grey literature intended for the general public accurately reflects the evidence.<h4>Method</h4>Four databases (Cochrane CENTRAL, EmBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed) were searched from inception to 4th August 2021. Eligible peer-reviewed studies were empirical studies which examined the efficacy of omega-3 supplements in preventing/treating anxiety and/or depression symptoms in young people aged 14-24. Risk of bias was assessed for randomised studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Selected grey literature databases were also searched, with eligible sources assessed for quality. A stakeholder group including young people with lived experience of anxiety/depression, parents/carers and mental health professionals informed the research questions and data interpretation. Findings were summarised using narrative synthesis.<h4>Results</h4>17 empirical studies (N = 1240 participants) meeting inclusion criteria were identified. Studies varied in treatment and participant characteristics. In general, the data did not support the view that omega-3 supplements were efficacious in improving symptoms of anxiety or depression in young people aged 14-24. In contrast, most grey literature sources recommended the use of omega-3 supplements in young people.<h4>Discussion</h4>Evidence for efficacy of omega-3 supplementation in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in young people was inconclusive. More research is needed to identify potential mechanisms and moderators of the effect of omega-3 supplements on depression and anxiety symptoms in young people.
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spelling doaj-art-d53e0edb31f24716b5d35f6c9a2f71772025-02-05T05:32:41ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032023-01-01184e028405710.1371/journal.pone.0284057Omega-3 supplements in the prevention and treatment of youth depression and anxiety symptoms: A scoping review.Natalie M ReilySamantha TangAshlee NegroneDaniel Z Q GanVeronica SheanodaHelen Christensen<h4>Introduction</h4>Omega-3 supplements may be efficacious in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults, particularly as an adjunct to antidepressant medication. However, research in young people is limited. Thus, this scoping review aimed to summarise existing evidence on the efficacy of omega-3 supplementation in treating depression and anxiety symptoms in young people aged 14-24. A secondary aim was to determine whether grey literature intended for the general public accurately reflects the evidence.<h4>Method</h4>Four databases (Cochrane CENTRAL, EmBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed) were searched from inception to 4th August 2021. Eligible peer-reviewed studies were empirical studies which examined the efficacy of omega-3 supplements in preventing/treating anxiety and/or depression symptoms in young people aged 14-24. Risk of bias was assessed for randomised studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Selected grey literature databases were also searched, with eligible sources assessed for quality. A stakeholder group including young people with lived experience of anxiety/depression, parents/carers and mental health professionals informed the research questions and data interpretation. Findings were summarised using narrative synthesis.<h4>Results</h4>17 empirical studies (N = 1240 participants) meeting inclusion criteria were identified. Studies varied in treatment and participant characteristics. In general, the data did not support the view that omega-3 supplements were efficacious in improving symptoms of anxiety or depression in young people aged 14-24. In contrast, most grey literature sources recommended the use of omega-3 supplements in young people.<h4>Discussion</h4>Evidence for efficacy of omega-3 supplementation in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in young people was inconclusive. More research is needed to identify potential mechanisms and moderators of the effect of omega-3 supplements on depression and anxiety symptoms in young people.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0284057&type=printable
spellingShingle Natalie M Reily
Samantha Tang
Ashlee Negrone
Daniel Z Q Gan
Veronica Sheanoda
Helen Christensen
Omega-3 supplements in the prevention and treatment of youth depression and anxiety symptoms: A scoping review.
PLoS ONE
title Omega-3 supplements in the prevention and treatment of youth depression and anxiety symptoms: A scoping review.
title_full Omega-3 supplements in the prevention and treatment of youth depression and anxiety symptoms: A scoping review.
title_fullStr Omega-3 supplements in the prevention and treatment of youth depression and anxiety symptoms: A scoping review.
title_full_unstemmed Omega-3 supplements in the prevention and treatment of youth depression and anxiety symptoms: A scoping review.
title_short Omega-3 supplements in the prevention and treatment of youth depression and anxiety symptoms: A scoping review.
title_sort omega 3 supplements in the prevention and treatment of youth depression and anxiety symptoms a scoping review
url https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0284057&type=printable
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