Depression and Fish Oil

Depression can greatly affect our lives. Much research has been done on depression, a state in which a person expresses a low mood and aversion to activity. Depression usually impair their social and occupational experiences. The symptoms of depression are varied, they represent feelings of hopelessness, difficulty in concentration , lack of control over negative thought, lost of appetite, irritability, and difficulty in sleeping.

Much research has been done in treating depression. Several studies found that persons suffering from depression had a deficiency in Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and depleted levels of plasma and cell membrane omega-3 EFA's and DHA. This deficiency could trigger fluctuations of serotonin in the brain.

There also seems to show a relationship between fish consumption and depression. Symptoms of depression were generally higher among persons who infrequently consumed fish. Fish is one of the main sources of omega-3; both EFA and DHA are found in fish oil. DHA is necessary to ensure optimum brain cell function. Possibly the reason fish is termed as "brain food"

In a study, clinically depressed individuals were given a daily dose of 1,2, or 4 grams of EPA in addition to their normal therapy. The results showed that a dose of 1 g was sufficient to produce the biggest response.





Courtesy: ww.tinypic.com


The increase in omega-3 fatty acids helped individuals suffering from depression to regain their balance of fatty acids and see dramatic improvement in major neurotransmitters in the brain and improvement in their mood. More research also shows that the EPA and DHA also help relieve depression in a number of related disorders such as dementia, ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, and dyslexia. Also, individuals who were chronically angry, showed a similar deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids.

An increase in omega-3 fatty acids can help many people along these various spectrum regain their balance of fatty acids and see dramatic improvement in major neurotransmitters in the brain and improvement in their mood. Many people will continue to attest to the positive effects of taking fish oil in their life.



Did you know?
Low content of DHA in a mother's breast milk shows a greater likelihood of the mother developing postpartum depression.


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