Fish Oil May Defeat Depression

Q. I have been taking Zoloft for four months and my doctor wants me to stick with it. He keeps increasing the dose so that it will relieve my depression, but it hasn’t done so yet.
It has made me jittery and anxious. I have gained five pounds and my cholesterol is climbing. Does it make sense to keep taking an antidepressant that isn’t working? Is there a natural alternative?
A. There are many other antidepressant medications that could be prescribed and some lifestyle approaches, such as regular vigorous exercise, that are surprisingly effective.
Recent research (Archives of General Psychiatry, Oct. 2002) indicates that an essential fatty acid found in fish oil (EPA) can alleviate depression that persists despite prescription antidepressants. British researchers gave such patients either EPA or placebo for 12 weeks. Those taking 1 gram of EPA daily did significantly better with depression, anxiety and sleep. Discuss your concerns and this research with your doctor.