Fish Oils and Depression: Shining Light on a Possible Alternative Treatment

Looking for a natural remedy for depression?

Research on fish oils and depression show these healthy fats may lower your risk for depression.

Further studies show that they may also improve the effectiveness of antidepressants.

A study from the Archives of General Psychiatry showed one gram a day of fish oils improves on all measures of depression.

Almost 70% of participants in this study showed a 50% reduction in their symptoms, compared with only 25% of those who took a placebo.

Researchers believe the omega 3 fatty acids in fish oils enhances the effects and absorption of anti-depressant medications, improving their effectiveness.

Positive Connection Made Between Fish Oil and Depression

Beer Sheva, Israel - Scientists believe omega 3 fats in fish oils may help control the electrical signals in your brain, improving cognitive function and emotional states.

Participants took a daily supplement of 1.5 to 2 grams of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) for 6 months.

Researchers discovered 80% of patients using EPA improved over 50% on a psychiatric depression test. These same patients didn't experience any manic or depressive episodes during the study.

Another study from Amsterdam found patients with higher intakes of omega 3 fatty acids showed a lower risk for developing depression.

Bipolar and Fish Oil Research

A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry shows fish oils may help people with bipolar disorders.

Results showed 9 of 14 patients (64.3%) receiving fish oils responded favorably to treatment, compared to only 3 of 16 placebo-treated patients (18.8%).

The same researchers treated another 22 bipolar patients with flaxseed oil (another omega 3 fatty acid oil).

They discovered eighteen 18 of the 22 patients treated with flaxseed oil seem to benefit with many reporting a distinct mood-elevating effect.

Further studies on bipolar and fish oil supplementation seem to support the theory that omega 3's have positive effects on depressive symptoms, but no effects on manic episodes.

Researchers in Taiwan looked at the available data and found 10 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of patients with mood disorders receiving omega 3 fatty acids for 4 weeks or longer.

They found an antidepressant effect from omega 3 fatty acids in patients with clearly defined depression or bipolar disorders.

Surprisingly, they found increasing the amount of EPA didn't cause an increase in the antidepressant effect.

Comments:

So what can we draw from this research on fish oils and depression?

Current studies suggest omega 3 fatty acids in fish oils may reduce symptoms. Although data may be insufficient, there are reports from many people who've experienced positive results from using fish oils for depression.

Dr. Andrew Stoll, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and director of psychopharmacology research lab at Boston's McLean Hospital, believes restoring your body's natural balance of omega-3s may help alleviate (and prevent) many types of depression - even for those who don't respond to traditional antidepressants.

Dr. Stoll is quick to point out that even though fish oils and depression research is still evolving, his own studies indicate boosting your omega 3 intake can reduce depressive symptoms, schizophrenia and post-partum depression.

He published a book on his findings called 'The Omega 3 Connection - The Ground Breaking Antidepression Diet and Brain Program'.

He shows you how to restore your omega 3 balance by learning the right foods to eat, using natural supplements such as fish oils and flaxseed oil, determing the most effective supplement dosages, simple recipes and much more.

If you're interested in learning more about the Omega 3 Connection, you can get more information at Amazon.com.

The good doctor appears to know what he's talking about. Reviews from people who bought this book at Amazon.com show many have achieved good results with this program.

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