Boost Antidepressant Effects with Omega 3, Vitamin D

For many people, taking antidepressants can be a life-changer. But for others, the medications just don’t seem to achieve the desired results.

But scientists have discovered that taking certain nutritional supplements can increase the effectiveness of antidepressants in people with clinical depression.

Several supplements were found to boost the effects of antidepressant medications, including Omega 3 fish oils; methylfolate, a bioactive form of folate; Vitamin D; and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe).

SAMe, a molecule that forms naturally in the body and can also be made in the laboratory, is involved in the formation, activation, or breakdown of other chemicals in the body, including hormones, proteins, phospholipids, and certain drugs. It is involved in a range of brain chemical processes that are critical to the maintenance of good mood, scientists explain.

“A large proportion of people who have depression do not reach remission after one or two courses of antidepressant medication,” said Dr. Jerome Sarris, head of the ARCADIA Mental Health Research Group at the University of Melbourne in Australia.

Photo courtesy FreeImages.com/James Stapley

He noted that “hundreds of millions” of people worldwide currently take antidepressants.

“There’s real potential here to improve the mental health of people who have an inadequate response to them,” he noted.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne and Harvard University examined 40 clinical trials worldwide, alongside a systematic review of the evidence for using nutrient supplements — which are known as nutraceuticals — to treat clinical depression in combination with antidepressants such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and tricyclics.

SSRIs — Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors — are a common type of antidepressant that inhibits the brain’s re-absorption of the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin. Common types include citalopram, fluoxetine and sertraline.

Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are a group of antidepressants that include desvenlafaxine, duloxetine and venlafaxine, among others. These drugs increase the amount of mood regulating neurotransmitters, such as noradrenaline and serotonin in the brain.

Tricyclics are first-generation antidepressants, such as doxepin, designed to increase levels of norepinephrine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters, and block the action of acetylcholine, another neurotransmitter.

The biggest finding from the meta-analysis was that Omega 3 fish oil, in combination with antidepressants, had a “statistically significant effect over a placebo,” according to Sarris.

“Many studies have shown Omega 3s are very good for general brain health and improving mood, but this is the first analysis of studies that looks at using them in combination with antidepressant medication,” he said. “The difference for patients taking both antidepressants and Omega 3, compared to a placebo, was highly significant. This is an exciting finding because here we have a safe, evidence-based approach that could be considered a mainstream treatment.”

The research team also found evidence that methylfolate, Vitamin D, and SAMe are mood-enhancing therapies when taken with antidepressants.

However, they found mixed results for zinc, vitamin C and tryptophan (an amino acid). Folic acid didn’t work particularly well, nor did inositol, they add.

Omega 3 capsules can be a beneficial supplement for those battling depression. (Photo courtesy FreeImages.com/Jose Conejo Saenz)

While their benefits are noteworthy, many medical professionals are hesitant to prescribe nutraceuticals with pharmaceuticals, simply because there has been a lack of scientific evidence around their efficacy, the researchers noted.

“Medical practitioners are aware of the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids, but are probably unaware that one can combine them with antidepressant medication for a potentially better outcome,” he said.

What’s encouraging is that the researchers found no “major” safety concerns in combining the two therapies.

However, they stressed that people on antidepressants should always consult with their health professionals before taking nutraceuticals.

“We’re not telling people to rush out and buy buckets of supplements,” Sarris said. “Always speak to your medical professional before changing or initiating a treatment.”