Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Reduce Anxiety For Drug Addicts
Comment: This study showed that a 3,000 mg daily dose of omega-3 fats (found in fish oil) could
reduce feelings of anxiety in drug addicts. Anxiety can precede complusive drug use. This means
that
3,000 mg omega-3 fat supplementation per day might reduce anxiety and cravings well enough to help
drugs addicts stay sober. This 3,000 mg dose
generally
requires five 1,000 mg fish oil capsules twice per day.
Most brands of fish oil capsules generally
contain about 300 mg per capsule of the omega-3 fats called
EPA and DHA. To arrive at
the number of capsules a specific brand requires to get the 3,000 mg dose add the
amount of EPA to DHA per capsule. Divide 3,000 mg per day
by that number to find out
how many capsules are
required.
Buydens-Branchey L, et al. "n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Decrease Anxiety
Feelings in a Population of Substance
Abusers." Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2006; 26(6): 661-665.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled 3-month study of 24 subjects with substance abuse and anxiety disorders
showed that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids decreased
feelings of anxiety.
(1) 13 subjects receive 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA
(docosahexaenoic acid) per day;
(2) 11 subjects (the placebo group) received a placebo with no omega-3's.
The omega-3 group showed a progressive decline in anxiety scores.
No decline was observed in the placebo group.
Three months after the study ended, 6 subjects from omega-3 group and 8 subjects from the placebo
group were re-tested. Anxiety scores remained significantly decreased among the subjects from the
omega-3 group, but not the placebo group.
The authors of the study said, "… these preliminary data indicate that omega-3 supplementation
could be beneficial in the treatment of some patients with anxiety disorders."