Occupational burnout reduced after 8 weeks of Omega-3 – RCT

Created July 2019

Omega-3-polyunsatured fatty acids (O3PUFAs), compared to placebo, reduced symptoms of occupational burnout and lowered morning cortisol secretion

Psychoneuroendocrinology, online 19 July 2019, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.104384

* Anxiety severity reduced if more than 2 grams of Omega-3 – meta-analysis Sept 2018 * Omega-3 RDAs around the world: 100 to 2400 mg per day, US still has no RDA – Dec 2018 * Omega 3 increases vitamin D in the blood – many studies * Vitamin D and omega-3 are the only supplements which show benefit in meta-analysis – Jan 2012 Vitamin D and Omega-3 category starts with {include} --- Items in both categories Depression and Omega-3 are listed here: {category}

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Highlights

  • After eight weeks, nurses with burnout improved in burnout scores in the omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids condition, but not in the placebo condition.

  • Cortisol awakening response levels decreased over time, but more so in the Omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids condition, compared to the placebo condition.

  • Older age and longer work experience were associated with higher burnout scores, but not with higher cortisol awakening response levels.

  • Burnout scores and cortisol awakening response levels were unrelated.

Background

: Occupational burnout is both a serious health concern at both public and individual levels. Treatment options are psychopharmacological, psychological and physical activity-related interventions. Here, we tested whether, compared to placebo, omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (O3PUFAs) have a positive impact on burnout and morning cortisol secretion.

Method

: A total of 43 individuals (mean age: 38.4 years, 76.7% females) took part in the present double-blind and placebo-controlled intervention. Participants were randomly assigned either to the O3PUFA or to the placebo condition. At baseline and again eight weeks later, participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory and collected morning saliva samples for analysis of the cortisol awakening response (CAR).

Results

: Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization decreased, and sense of personal accomplishment increased over time, but more so in the O3PUFA condition than in the placebo condition. Likewise, CAR decreased over time, but again more so in the O3PUFA condition than in the placebo condition.

Conclusions

: The present pattern of results suggests that, compared to placebo, administration of daily omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids for eight consecutive weeks positively influences both psychological and physiological markers of occupational burnout.

Tags: Depression Omega-3