Adjunctive Nutraceuticals for Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses.

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Psychiatry
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Growing interest in augmenting antidepressant treatment.
• Nutraceuticals modulate neurochemical pathways relevant to depression.
• Lack of specialized systematic reviews on adjunctive nutrient use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze clinical trials on adjunctive nutrients for depression.
• To assess the efficacy of various nutraceuticals when used with antidepressants.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of major databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane) up to December 2015.
• Random-effects model meta-analysis for effect size calculation.
• Heterogeneity and funnel plot analyses to assess study bias and variability.

Main Results:

• Positive evidence for S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), methylfolate, omega-3, and vitamin D.
• Meta-analysis showed significant benefit for adjunctive omega-3.
• Meta-analysis for folic acid showed no significant difference from placebo.
• No major adverse effects reported, only minor digestive issues.

Conclusions:

• S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), methylfolate, omega-3, and vitamin D are supported as adjunctive treatments for depression.
• These nutraceuticals can help reduce depressive symptoms when used with antidepressants.