Evidence supporting the use of: Omega-3 fatty acids
For the health condition: Anxiety

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), have been studied as a potential adjunctive therapy for anxiety disorders. The scientific rationale is based on their anti-inflammatory properties and their role in modulating neurotransmitter function, neurogenesis, and neuronal membrane fluidity. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have investigated the effects of omega-3 supplementation on anxiety symptoms, both in clinical populations and in healthy individuals. A 2018 meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open reviewed 19 clinical trials and found that omega-3 supplementation was associated with a modest reduction in anxiety symptoms compared to placebo, particularly in individuals with clinical anxiety. However, the overall effect size was small, and study quality varied. Another 2023 systematic review concluded that while there is some evidence for anxiolytic effects, results are inconsistent and more large-scale, high-quality trials are needed. Importantly, the anxiolytic effects appear more robust when the EPA content is higher relative to DHA. In summary, while there is some scientific evidence suggesting omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce anxiety, the magnitude of benefit is modest and not universally observed. Omega-3 is not a first-line treatment for anxiety, but it may be considered as an adjunct, especially in individuals with low omega-3 intake or coexisting depression. The evidence base warrants a modest rating, reflecting promising but inconclusive data.

More about omega-3 fatty acids
More about Anxiety

Other ingredients used for Anxiety

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Aconite
Agarwood
Agastache
Agmatine
Agrimony
Albizia
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
amino acids
Amor seco
anamu
Anemone
aniracetam
anise
apigenin
Ardisia
ash
ashwagandha
Asteraceae
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
bacteria
baicalein
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
basil
bayleaf
bee products
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
betony
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black seed
blackboard tree
Bombax
borneol
brahmi
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
calamus
Calea zacatechichi
California poppy
Camellia sinensis
cannabidiol
cannabigerol
Cannabis sativa oil
Canscora
capillary artemisia
Capitate Valerian
cardamom
caryophyllene
catnip
catuaba
Centella asiatica
Centella triterpenes
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chinese salvia root
chrysanthemum
Cinnamomum
citron
Clary sage
Clerodendrum indicum
Clostridium butyricum
clove
cocoa
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Convolvulus prostratus
cordyceps
cowslip
Curcuma
curcumin
Cymbopogon martini
damiana
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dodeca-2E, 4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide
dragonhead
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Erythrina
essential oil blend
eugenol
fatty acids
fennel
Ficus religiosa
fragrant rosewood
fungus
ganoderma
gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides
gastrodia
gastrodin
Gelsemium
geranium
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glycine
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Griffonia simplicifolia
guayusa
heal-all
hemp
hemp oil
Herb Robert
herbal blend (proprietary)
hericium mushroom
honeybush
Honokiol
hops
hyperforin
Hypericum
Hyperoside
Ilex
Indian fagonia
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
inositol
iridoids
isoliquiritigenin
jasmine
Jatamansi
jujube
jujubosides
kanna
kava
kavalactones
Kefir
kudzu
L-glycine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactium casein decapeptide
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus helveticus
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactucarium
Lactucopicrin
Large-leaved linden
Lavandin
lavender
lemon balm
lemongrass
ligustilides
limonene
linalool
linden
lingzhi
lion's mane
lithium orotate
Litsea
longan
lotus
lupulinum
Lycopodium
maca
magnesium
magnolia
magnolol
Marjoram
Matcha
Melatonin
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Mesembrine
Mimosa
Mimulus
Mint
Monkey flower
Monoterpenes
Motherwort
Mugwort
Muira puama
Mulungu
Myrcene
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
omega-3 fatty acids
oolong tea
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
Osmanthus
Oxindole alkaloids
paeoniflorin
passionflower
Passionfruit
Patchouli oil
peony
Petiveria
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
Phenylpropanoids
phosphatidylserine
phytocannabinoids
Plectranthus amboinicus
Polygala
polygala root
poppy
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
prepared aconite tuber
probiotics
Puerain
Pulsatilla
Purple Monkeyflower
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
Rauvolfia
reishi mushroom
relora® (proprietary)
rhizome
Rhodiola
Rooibos
rosavins
rose
rose oil
rosemary
rosmarinic acid
rue
saffron
Safranal
sage
Salidroside
Salvia
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Sandalwood
sceletium
Schisandrins
Schizandrol A
Scleranthus annus
Scoparia dulcis
Self-Heal
Sensitive Plant
Sesquiterpenes
Sete sangrias
Shankhpushpi
shen-chu
silk tree
skullcap
Sophora
soursop
Southern Tsangshu
Southernwood
spearmint leaf
Speedwell
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spikenard
squawvine
St. John's Wort
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
star of Bethlehem
Storax
Sumbul
sweet flag
Sweet Orange alcohol
Tagara
Tea
Terpenoids
Tetrahydropalmatine
thyme
Tinospora cordifolia
Traveler's Joy
Trichilia catigua
Uncaria
Valerenic acid
Valerian root
velvet bean
Verbena
Vervain
Vetiver
Viburnum
Violet
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Vitexin
Waterhyssop
White Tea
Withanolides
Wogonin
Wood betony
Xylaria nigripes
Yerba buena
Ylang ylang
Yohimbine
Yuzu
Zinc

Other health conditions supported by omega-3 fatty acids

Acne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Anger (excessive)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Defects (prevention)
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Bloodshot Eyes
Body Building
Broken Bones
Bulimia
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cholesterol (high)
Cholesterol (low)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Dysmenorrhea
Eczema
Emotional Sensitivity
Endometriosis
Epilepsy
Exercise
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyesight (poor)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibrosis
Free Radical Damage
Glaucoma
Gout
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Irritability
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Macular Degeneration
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Muscular Dystrophy
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Pets (supplements for)
PMS Type D
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Psoriasis
Raynaud's Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rosacea
Schizophrenia
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seborrhea
Seizures
Senility
Sickle Cell Anemia
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Spinal Disks
Strokes
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Thinking (cloudy)
Thrombosis
Triglycerides (high)
Triglycerides (low)
Vaginal Dryness