DHA

Indication: Postpartum depression

Source: Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, October 2003;69(4):237-43.

Research: DHA levels were measured in the plasma phospholipids of 112 women at delivery and 32 weeks postpartum. At the latter time point, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaire was completed to measure postpartum depression retrospectively.

Results: The results demonstrated that the postpartum increase of the functional DHA status was significantly lower in the “possibly de­pressed” group compared to the non-depressed group. Lactating women were not more predisposed than non-lactating women were to develop depressive symptoms. From this observation, researchers concluded that the availability of DHA in the postpartum period is less in women developing depressive symptoms. Although further studies are needed for confirmation, researchers said increasing the dietary DHA intake during pregnancy and postpartum seems prudent.