Omega 3 Fatty Acids And Depression

Is it possible that diseases like depression and bipolar disorders could be treated and cured by more natural means? Several studies and observations indicate he positive effects of omega 3 fatty acids on this kinds of diseases.

Omega 3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that cannot be produced by the body and thus must be provided from external sources. The richest sources of omega 3 are fatty fish, walnuts and flax seed oil.

Numerous studies pointed out the beneficial effects of omega 3 on depression:

* Research showed, that there seems to be a strong correlation between fish consumption and incidences of depression. Nations with high fish consumption appear to have a much lower rate of depression in their population. For example, in Taiwan (where fish consumption is very high) only 1.5 in every 100 adults experience depression in their lives. Whereas in Beirut (where fish consumption is relatively low) 19 in every 100 adults suffer from depression once in their lifetimes.

* Similar results where found on a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, where again a strong correlation between high fish consumption and (this time) low bipolar disorder incidents were found.

* Also, depression is about 60 times higher in New Zealand, with an average seafood consumption of 40 pounds a year compared to Japan, where the average annual seafood consumption is about 150 pounds.

* Other studies showed depleted omega-3 levels in cell membranes, and brains of depressed patients, suggesting that increasing the intake of omega 3 could help reverse the process.

* An NIH study tracked 14,541 women from their eighth week of pregnancy to eight months after giving birth. Those who were on a low omega-3 diet had nearly twice the rate of depression compared to those who ate 10 ounces of fish daily. Which again leads to the conclusion that omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial in the treatment and prevention of depression.

* A study conducted in Israel on 20 patients with severe depression showed significant benefits on patients treated with omega 3 (in this case EPA) compared to patients treated with a placebo.

Add a Comment

More information related to Omega 3 Fatty Acids And Depression :

health benefits of omega3 fish oils

omega 3 fatty acids and heart health

cancer and omega 3 fatty acids

omega 3 myths

omega 3 and high blood pressure

omega 3 oils for acne treatment

omega 3 and heart health

acid reflux and fish oil omega 3 fatty acids

mental health and omega 3

omega 3 and dry eyes

omega 3 and side effects