“What’s all the fuss on Omega 3 fatty acids and depression?”

New research on Omega 3 fatty acids and depression reveals great news! Why is fish oil good for your brain? Part of your brain is made up of fatty acids. Ok, we’re fat heads. So, if you aren’t getting enough fatty acid in your diet, your brain will not be purring at its prime.

It’s like when your car is running out of gas; it may sputter and suck air.

So, fill up at the fish tank!

We now know that Omega 3 fatty acids and depression have a strong connection. Dr. Joseph Hibbeln of the National Institutes of Health has shown that countries that eat more Omega 3 fatty acid have lower depression rates including postpartum depression and seasonal affective disorder. Let’s break the connection of Omega 3 fatty acids and depression down even further; based on the results of the latest research. The research is telling us that areas of the world that fail to eat sufficient Omega 3 fatty acids are prone to depression. Basically, if your local grocery store is selling food high in Omega 3 fatty acids, it won’t be any surprise if you and your neighbours are less likely to suffer depression. That’s exactly what the research on Omega 3 fatty acids and depression is telling us.

"Are your antidepressants not working?"

Now, if you’ve been using medication and it has not been helping you, there could be an answer for you thanks to the research on Omega 3 fatty acids and depression! The studies on Omega 3 fatty acids and depression also show that a fish oil mix (of 4.4g EPA and 2.2g DHA) could control depression that failed to respond to anti-depressant drug treatment. Researchers from Taiwan Medical University did a 2 month study with people who weren’t getting help from their anti-depressants. They improved thanks to the fish oil and with no side effects! Are you suffering from depression and haven’t found an answer yet? Well, consider the Omega 3 fatty acids and depression research. It could just make the difference. Personally, I have supplemented my own depression defence diet with Omega 3 fatty acids and have enjoyed the benefits. After reading more about the research on Omega 3 fatty acids and depression below, talk to your doctor! It could be a powerful ingredient to your anti-depression lifestyle too!

There is hope! You are worth it!

Related Articles

6 Powerful Ingredients to Cure Your Depression

More on the Benefits of Fish Oil

Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplements - Are they all the same?

Beware of Fish Oil Side Effects from poor quality supplements

View our Article Library

Back to Home from Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Depression


Sources:

Bourre JM, Dumont O, Piciotti M, Clement M, et al. Essentiality of n-3 fatty acids for brain structure and function. World Rev Nutr Diet 1991; 66: 103-17.

Klerman GL. The current age of youthful melancholia. Evidence for increase in depression among adolescents and young adults. Br J Psychiatry 1998; 152: 4-14.

Klerman GL, Weissman MM. Increasing rates of depression. JAMA 1989; 261: 2229-35.

Hibbeln JR. Fish consumption and major depression. Lancet 1998; 351: 1213.

Hibbeln JR. Seafood consumption, the DHA content of mothers milk and prevalence rates of postpartum depression: a cross-national, ecological analysis. J Affect Disord 2002; 69: 15-29.

Cott J, Hibbeln JR. Lack of seasonal mood change in Icelanders. Am J Psychiatry 2001;158:328.

Tanskanen A, Hibbeln JR, Hintikka J, Haatainen K, Honkalampi K, Viinamaki H. Fish consumption, depression, and suicidality in a general population. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2001; 58: 512-513.

Silvers KM, Scott KM. Fish consumption and self reported physical and mental health status. Public Health Nutr 2002; 5: 427-31.

Logan AC. Neurobehavioral aspects of omega-3 fatty acids:possible mechanisms and therapeutic value in major depression. Altern Med Rev 2003;8:410-425.

Zimmer L, Vancassel S, Cantagrel S, Breton, et al. The dopamine mesocorticolimbic pathway is affected by deficiency in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Am J Clin Nutr 2002; 75: 662-7.

Stoll AL, Locke CA, Marangell LB, Severus WE. Omega-3 fatty acids and bipolar disorder: a review. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1999; 60: 329-37.

Maes M, Smith RS. Fatty acids, cytokines, and major depression. Biol Psychiatry 1998;43:313-14.

Shimizu E, Hashimoto K, Okamura N, et al. Alterations of serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in depressed patients with or without antidepressants. Biol Psychiatry 2003;54:70-75.

Stoll AL, Severus E, Freeman MP, Rueter S, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder. A preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999; 56: 407-12.

Nemets B, Stahl Z, Belmaker RH. Addition of omega-3 fatty acid to maintenance medication treatment for recurrent unipolar depressive disorder. Am J Psychiatry 2002; 159: 477-9.

Peet M, Horrobin DF. A dose-ranging study of the effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate in patients with ongoing depression despite adequate treatment with standard drugs. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2002; 59: 913-19.

Su KP, Huang SY, Chiu CC, Shen WW. Omega-3 fatty acids in major depressive disorder. A preliminary double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2003;13:267-71.

Zanarini MC, Frankenburg FR. Omega-3 fatty acid treatment of women with borderline personality disorder: a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Am J Psychiatry 2003; 160: 167-69.

Marangell LB, Martinez JM, Zboyan HA, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controled study of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid in the treatment of major depression. Am J Psychiatry 2003;160:996-98.

Marchioli R, Schweiger C, Tavazzi L, Valagussa F. Efficacy of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids after myocardial infarction: results of GISSI-prevenzione trial. Gruppo Italiano per lo studio della sopravvivenza nell’infarto miocardio. Lipids 2001; 36 Suppl: S119-26.

Marchioli R, Barzi F, Bomba E, Chieffo C, et al. Early protection against sudden death by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids after myocardial infarction: time course analysis of the results of the Gruppo Italiano per lo studio della sopravvivenza nell’infarto myocardio (GISSI) -- prevenzione. Circulation 2002; 105: 1897-903.

Back to Home