Inserm researchers from the « Epidemiology of nutrition and eating behaviour » team led by Pascale Barberger-Gateau in the Inserm Research Centre U897 « Epidemiology and biostatistics » have shown that a high blood level of a long chain omega 3 fatty acid called EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is associated with a reduced frequency of depressive symptoms in the elderly. This study included more than 1,300 people. The long chain omega 3 fatty acids are essential as the body can only make them in small amounts from their precursors obtained in vegetable oils (rapeseed, walnut and soya oil). They are contained in large amounts in fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardine).

This study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on 13 May 2008.

To find out more, please read the Inserm press release.