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ABN 46 006 591 304Nutraceuticals Can Boost
Antidepressants
An international review of 40 clinical trials worldwide has found
that some nutritional supplements can increase the effectiveness
of antidepressants for people with clinical depression.
“The strongest finding from our review was that omega-3 fish
oil, in combination with antidepressants, had a statistically
significant effect over a placebo,” said Dr Jerome Sarris of the
ARCADIA Mental Health Research Group at The University of
Melbourne, who led the meta-analysis published in the American
Journal of Psychiatry. “Many studies have shown omega-3s are very
good for general brain health and improving mood, but this is the
first analysis of studies that looks at using them in combination
with antidepressant medication.
“The difference for patients taking both antidepressants and
omega-3, compared to a placebo, was highly significant. This is an
exciting finding because here we have a safe, evidence-based
approach that could be considered a mainstream treatment.”
The review also found good evidence for methylfolate (the
bioactive form of folate), vitamin D and S-adenosylmethionine as a
mood-enhancing therapy when taken with antidepressants. It
reported mixed results for zinc, vitamin C and the amino acid
tryptophan. Folic acid didn’t work particularly well, nor did inositol.
“A large proportion of people who have depression do not reach
remission after one or two courses of antidepressant medication,”
Sarris said. Yet medical professionals can be hesitant to prescribe
nutraceuticals alongside pharmaceuticals because there has been
a lack of scientific evidence around their efficacy. “Medical
practitioners are aware of the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, but
are probably unaware that one can combine them with
antidepressant medication for a potentially better outcome,” he
said.
The researchers found no major safety concerns in combining
the two therapies, but stressed that people on antidepressants
should always consult with their health professional before taking
nutraceuticals and should be aware these supplements can differ
in quality.
“We’re not telling people to rush out and buy buckets of
supplements,” Sarris said. “Always speak to your medical
professional before changing or initiating a treatment.”Scientists Make Ants Angry
Scientists have manipulated the brain chemistry of ants, making
aggressive ants placid and calm ants cranky.
Colonies of weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) can contain
more than 100 nests and more than half a million ants. The
bigger ants, known as major workers, have a length of 8–10 mm,
while minor workers are half that size. The aggressive major
workers act as soldiers and foragers that expand the colony while
the more placid minor workers care for larvae.
The scientists modiied levels of the neurotransmitter
octopamine within the larger and smaller ants’ brains while
keeping every other factor constant in order to demonstrate a
causal relationship between brain chemistry and behaviour.
“The soldier ants became less aggressive and behaved like
workers, and the workers became aggressive and behaved like
soldiers,” said Prof Simon Robson, Head of Terrestrial Ecosys-
tems at James Cook University.
The researchers also dissected the ants’ brains to conirm the
relationship between octopamine and aggression.
Robson explained that octopamine was one of ive chemi-
cals suspected of playing a role in ant aggression, and its central
role had now been conirmed. “The need to understand the
modulation of aggression seems to be growing, and this research
helps us understand how such behaviours evolve and are regu-
lated in a variety of biological systems,” he said.An aggressive display from a weaver ant.