Dietary n-3 PUFA, fish consumption and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#animals #depressive-disorder #diet #fatty-acids-omega-3 #fishes

Dietary n-3 PUFA, fish consumption and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Grosso et al., 2016 | J Affect Disord | Meta Analysis

Citation

Grosso Giuseppe, Micek Agnieszka, ... Galvano Fabio. Dietary n-3 PUFA, fish consumption and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. J Affect Disord. 2016-Nov-15;205:269-281. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.08.011

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Fish consumption and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been hypothesized to exert preventive effects toward depressive disorders, but findings are contrasting. We aimed to systematically review and perform meta-analysis of results from observational studies exploring the association between fish, n-3 PUFA dietary intake, and depression. METHODS: A search on the main bibliographic source of the observational studies up to August 2015 was performed. Random-effects models of the highest versus the lowest (reference) category of exposure and dose-response meta-analysis were performed. RESULTS: A total of 31 studies including 255,076 individuals and over 20,000 cases of depression, were examined. Analysis of 21 datasets investigating relation between fish consumption and depression resulted in significant reduced risk (RR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.69, 0.89), with a linear dose-response despite with moderate heterogeneity. Pooled risk estimates of depression for extreme categories of both total n-3 PUFA and fish-derived n-3 PUFA [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)+docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] resulted in decreased risk for the highest compared with the lowest intake (RR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.92 and RR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.73, 0.92, respectively) and dose-response analysis revealed a J-shaped association with a peak decreased risk for 1.8g/d intake of n-3 PUFA (RR=0.30, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.98). LIMITATION: Design of the studies included and confounding due to lack adjustment for certain variables may exist. CONCLUSIONS: The present analysis supports the hypothesis that dietary n-3 PUFA intake are associated with lower risk of depression.

Key Findings

A total of 31 studies including 255,076 individuals and over 20,000 cases of depression, were examined. Analysis of 21 datasets investigating relation between fish consumption and depression resulted in significant reduced risk (RR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.69, 0.89), with a linear dose-response despite with moderate heterogeneity. Pooled risk estimates of depression for extreme categories of both total n-3 PUFA and fish-derived n-3 PUFA [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)+docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] resulted in

Outcomes Measured

  • depression

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 255076
Age Range See abstract
Condition depression

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Depressive Disorder
  • Diet
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Fishes
  • Humans
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Prevalence
  • Risk

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: omega-3

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09