Am J Clin Nutr 1995;62:1-9. Printed in USA. © 1995 American Society for Clinical Nutrition 1 Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and depression: when cholesterol does not satisfy1’2

ABSTRACT Recent studies have both offered and contested the proposition that lowering plasma cholesterol by diet and med-ications increases suicide, homicide, and depression. Significant confounding factors include the quantity and distribution of dietary n-6 and n---3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acids that influence serum lipids and alter the biophysical and biochemical properties of cell membranes. Epidemiological studies in various countries and in the United States in the last century suggest that decreased n- 3 fatty acid consumption correlates with increasing rates of depression. This is consistent with a well-established positive correlation between depression and coronary artery disease. Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturate deficiency may also contribute to depressive symptoms in alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, and post-partum depression. We postulate that adequate long-chain polyun-saturated fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid, may reduce the development ofdepressionjust as n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may reduce coronary artery disease. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;62:1-9