(12-11-12) Dietary intake of fish and PUFA, and clinical depressive and anxiety disorders in women.

Jacka FN, Pasco JA, Williams LJ, Meyer BJ, Digger R, Berk M.
Source
Barwon Psychiatric Research Unit, Deakin University, School of Medicine and
Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
Abstract
Fish and PUFA consumption are thought to play a role in mental health;
however, many studies do not take into account multiple sources of PUFA. The
present study analysed data from a sample of 935 randomly selected, population-
based women aged 20-93 years. A validated and comprehensive dietary
questionnaire ascertained the consumption of n-3 and n-6 PUFA. Another assessed
fish and energy intake and provided data for a dietary quality score. The
General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) measured psychological symptoms and a
clinical interview (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Research
Version, Non-patient edition) assessed depressive and anxiety disorders. Median
dietary intakes of long-chain n-3 fatty acids (310 mg/d) were below suggested
dietary target levels. The only PUFA related to categorical depressive and
anxiety disorders was DHA. There was a non-linear relationship between DHA
intake and depression; those in the second tertile of DHA intake were nearly 70
% less likely to report a current depressive disorder compared to those in the
first tertile. The relationship of DHA to anxiety disorders was linear; for
those in the highest tertile of DHA intake, the odds for anxiety disorders were
reduced by nearly 50 % after adjustments, including adjustment for diet quality
scores, compared to the lowest tertile. Those who ate fish less than once per
week had higher GHQ-12 scores, and this relationship was particularly obvious
in smokers. These are the first observational data to indicate a role for DHA
in anxiety disorders, but suggest that the relationship between DHA and
depressive disorders may be non-linear.


Source: Br J Nutr. 2012 Oct 10:1-8. [Epub ahead of print]

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