Lower DHA Status Linked to Risk of Postpartum DepressionCOLUMBIA, Md., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Martek Biosciences Corporation (NASDAQ:MATK) commented today on the results of a study conducted at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. The study, published in the journal Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, suggests an association between low levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) after pregnancy and the occurrence of postpartum depression. DHA levels were measured in the plasma phospholipids of 112 women at delivery and 32 weeks postpartum. At this latter time, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaire was completed to measure postpartum depression in the women. The results demonstrated that slower postpartum recovery of the functional DHA status is related to a higher risk for the development of postpartum depression. The authors stated that "Although further studies are needed for confirmation, increasing dietary DHA intake during pregnancy and postpartum seems prudent." "This study suggests that DHA may play an important role in the prevention of postpartum depression," stated Henry "Pete" Linsert, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Martek. "Moms may need DHA as much as their babies." This study is consistent with other studies that show that populations with high intakes of omega-3 fatty acids have lower rates of depression than populations with low consumption of those fatty acids. Martek Biosciences Corporation develops, manufactures and sells products from microalgae. The Company's products include: (1) specialty, nutritional oils for infant formula that aid in the development of the eyes and central nervous system in newborns; (2) nutritional supplements and food ingredients that may play a beneficial role in promoting mental and cardiovascular health throughout life; and (3) new, powerful fluorescent markers for diagnostics, rapid miniaturized screening, and gene and protein detection. For more information on Martek, visit www.martekbio.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Martek's products. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause future actual results to differ due to a variety of risk factors, including without limitation those factors set forth in Martek's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CONTACT: Suzanne Trantow of JohnstonWells Public Relations, +1-303-623-3366, or Strantow@Johnstonwells.com; or Angela Tsetsis, Executive Director of Marketing of Martek Biosciences Corporation, +1-410-740-0081, or Atsetsis@martekbio.com Source: Martek Biosciences Corporation CONTACT: Suzanne Trantow of JohnstonWells Public Relations, Web site: http://www.martekbio.com/
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