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Tolerability of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in perinatal women
Marlene P Freeman1, Priti Sinha
1Women's Mental Health Center, Department of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas--Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 6363 Forest Park, Suite 800, Dallas, TX 75235 9086, USA. marlene.freeman@utsouthwestern.edu
Background:
Benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in perinatal women are well documented, although fish intake has declined among perinatal women.
Objective:
To determine the tolerability of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in perinatal women.
Design:
Pregnant and postpartum women with major depressive disorder (MDD) entered an 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids. Four capsules provided 1.84 g/day of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or matching placebo (corn oil with 1% fish oil to maintain blind). Tolerability was assessed by clinician interview biweekly.
Results:
Fifty-nine women enrolled. Thirteen (22%) reported mainly transient side effects including dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, burping, heartburn/reflux, difficulty swallowing capsules, unpleasant breath/bad taste or feeling tired. The most common were unpleasant breath/bad taste and heartburn/reflux. Six reporting side effects received omega-3 fatty acids; seven received placebo. Neither pregnant nor postpartum women discontinued due to intolerability.
Conclusions:
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements were well tolerated by perinatal women.
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