Researchers Confirm Omega-3 EPA Required for Antidepressant Benefits

Dartmouth, Canada (ots/PRNewswire) - Researchers at
the University of Illinois at Chicago completed a review of
previously published research on antidepressant benefits of Omega-3
essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic
acid (DHA). The review comprised a meta-analysis of 15 randomized,
double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with depression
and results were presented at the recent annual meeting of the
American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.

The analysis indicated that DHA alone did not appear to offer any
antidepressant benefits, where as patients taking EPA or a
combination of EPA and DHA experienced clear antidepressant benefits.

John M. Davis, M.D., research professor at the University of
Illinois at Chicago was quoted, "Our analysis clarifies the precise
type of Omega-3 fatty acid that is effective for people with
depression and explains why previous findings have been
contradictory." Davis continued, "The EPA predominant formulation is
necessary for the therapeutic action to occur. The DHA predominant
formulation does not have antidepressant efficacy."

Jon Getzinger, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Ocean Nutrition
Canada (ONC) said, "Many consumers still do not fully understand the
role of EPA and DHA and the importance of having both EPA and DHA as
part of a healthy diet. It is believed that EPA plays a functional
role in the brain, while DHA plays a structural role." Getzinger
continued, "Consuming DHA alone which retrogrades poorly to EPA
appears to be insufficient to provide the benefits associated with
the combination of EPA and DHA that is found in fish oil. This
analysis reinforces our understanding of the complementary roles that
both EPA and DHA have in the maintenance of healthy brain function,
in addition to the substantial scientific evidence supporting the
benefits of heart health."

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH),
approximately 20.9 million American adults suffer from various mood
disorders, or about 9.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and
older in a given year. NIMH also reports that data from the Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality's 2006 Medical Expenditure Panel
Survey indicates that close to sixty billion dollars was spent on
mental healthcare just in the United States during that year.

Omega-3 EPA and DHA continue to be among the most researched
ingredients, with over 14,000 published studies. As the amount of
research demonstrating the wide-ranging benefits of Omega-3 EPA and
DHA increases, studies like this and the recent recognition by
European health authorities of a daily reference intake of 250 mg/day
of EPA and DHA, emphasize the fact that both EPA and DHA from fish
oil are important for overall well-being.

About Omega-3:

Omega-3 is a family of essential fatty acids (EFA), including EPA
(eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and ALA
(alpha-linolenic acid). Oily fish (such as sardines, anchovies,
mackerel, and salmon) are the major known natural sources of Omega-3
EPA/DHA. ALA is found in plants, such as flax and chia. It is
important to note that EPA and DHA are the primary contributors of
the many health benefits associated with Omega-3. While the body can
convert ALA into EPA/DHA, it does so very inefficiently (typically
less than one percent), making it difficult to derive Omega-3-related
health benefits from plant sourced ALA. Recent analysis also supports
the long held belief that DHA alone is also insufficient to provide
many of the benefits attributed to fish oils that typically contain
both EPA & DHA. Furthermore, although Omega-3 EPA/DHA is important to
overall good health, the human body is not able to produce sufficient
quantities on its own, so supplementation is required, either by
eating oily fish or foods fortified with Omega-3 EPA/DHA, or by
taking fish oil supplements. Learn more about the health benefits of
Omega-3 EPA/DHA at http://www.meg-3.com.

About Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited (ONC):

Ocean Nutrition Canada (ONC) is a privately held company, whose
major shareholder is Clearwater Fine Foods Incorporated. Clearwater
Fine Foods Incorporated is a diversified holding/investment company
whose significant holdings include a controlling interest in
Clearwater Seafood's Limited Partnership, the world's largest
integrated shellfish harvester and processor.

ONC is the world's largest supplier of Omega-3 EPA and DHA
ingredients from fish oil, marketed into the dietary supplement and
food manufacturing markets. To date MEG-3(R) ingredients have been
included in over 90 billion servings of food and supplement products
worldwide. For more information about ONC visit
http://www.ocean-nutrition.com, and for information on the health
benefits of MEG-3(R) ingredients please visit http://www.meg-3.com.

For further information:
Joanna Lane
Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd.
Tel: +1-902-480-3288
Cell: +1-902-488-0141
jlane@ocean-nutrition.com
http://www.ocean-nutrition.com

ots Originaltext: Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd.
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
CONTACT: For further information: Joanna Lane, Ocean Nutrition
CanadaLtd., Tel: +1-902-480-3288, Cell:
+1-902-488-0141,jlane@ocean-nutrition.com