The Natural Mood Stabilizer For Pregnant Women, Children

By Author: Dr. Victor Marchione
Total Articles: 90
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In the last part of this series on omega-3 fatty acid and
depression, I hone in on the common postpartum
depression, as well as depression in children.
The mostmedicinal fatty acid in the world can be of help in both
these circumstances.

Postpartum depression affects approximately 10% to 15%
of women.
But women who take antidepressants in their
third trimester do have increased risk of complications.
Plus, antidepressant use during pregnancy is associated
with a higher risk of premature delivery and lower
gestational age at birth.

Thus, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be
reluctant to take antidepressants.
It might not be so safe forthe fetus or baby. Women with postpartum depression are
reported to show reduced blood levels of omega-3 fatty
acids, but normal levels of omega-6 fatty acids.

Two recent studies showed promising results with omega-3
supplementation in postpartum depression.
In one, omega-3 in three different doses (0.6 g/day, 1.4 g/day, or 2.8 g/day)
used in a small number ...
... of women with postpartum
depression showed a beneficial effect on depressive
symptoms.

The second study, an eight-week, double-blind, placebo-
controlled study comparing omega-3 (3.4 g/day) to
placebo was conducted in 33 women with postpartum
depression.
Omega-3 treated patients showed a much
greater reduction in their depressive scores as compared to
the placebo group.
Besides, there were no adverse effects in either the patients or the newborn babies. There was,
however, one study in 51 patients over eight weeks that
failed to show any benefit from omega-3.

What about depression in children? In 2005, the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration issued a warning about the use of
antidepressants in children and adolescents, namely that
increased risk of suicidal thinking and actual suicide have
been associated with the use of these drugs.
There is onlyone high-quality study on the efficacy of omega-3 in
childhood depression.

These investigators studied 28 children aged six to 12 years
who were randomly assigned to receive 560 mg to 600 mg
a day of omega-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid plus
eicosapentaenoic acid) or placebo for a period of four
months.
Those who were treated with omega-3 showed a
significant reduction of depressive symptoms starting at
eight weeks of treatment, whereas the placebo-treated
group failed to improve.
Even though it is a pilot study, thepromising results are quite encouraging -- especially inview of the safety concerns related to the use ofantidepressants in youth.

Important Note: Anyone who is already on antidepressants
-- pregnant or nursing women, children, and men/women
ofany age – should not discontinue use of the medication
without speaking to their doctor first.

If you want toconsider natural avenues, such as omega-3 fatty acid, work
with your doctor. Discontinuing medication suddenly or
inappropriately can have negative consequences.
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