When Supplements, Antidepressants Team Up

Certain nutritional supplements may help antidepressants do their job better in patients with depression, a new study found.

Omega-3 fish oils, vitamin D, S-adenosylmethionine and methylfolate all appeared to help make antidepressants more effective, the Harvard and University of Melbourne researchers behind this study found.

This study looked at the results of 40 past studies on similar subjects. Compared to those taking a placebo, patients with depression who took these supplements alongside antidepressants (such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) saw larger improvements in their depression symptoms.

Omega-3s were found to have the strongest effect when taken in tandem with antidepressants, these researchers noted.

But that doesn't mean patients should rush out to buy these over-the-counter supplements, these researchers said. As always, patients should speak with a health professional before taking any new medication or supplement.

This study was published recently in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

The National Health and Medical Research Council funded this research. Conflict of interest disclosures were not available at the time of publication.