What are the benefits of taking fish oils and depression? Is this a natural remedy for this mental illness?

Studies indicate that people with major depression seem to have significantly lower levels of omega 3 fatty acids (particularly DHA) compared to healthy subjects.

And further research on fish oils and depression show the supplementation of these healthy fats may lower your risk for the disease and improve the effectiveness of anti-depressant medications.

Researchers from Taiwan Medical University conducted an 8 week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing high doses (9.6 grams) of omega 3 fish oils to placebo in addition to standard antidepressant medication in 28 patients with major depressive disorder. The patients who received the 5 capsules twice daily of omega 3 fish oil capsules (each capsule contained 440 mg EPA and 220 mg DHA) had significantly lower scores on a Standard Rating Scale for Depression. The high dose fish oil was well tolerated with no adverse side effects during the two-month trial.

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 may enhance the effects and absorption of anti-depressant medications, improving their effectiveness.

More Studies Show Fish Oils may Reduce Risk for 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. And a research study from Finland, using over 29,000 middle-age men, found no association between depression and omega 3 intake. In other words, these men did not report any symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts when omega 3 fats were included in the diet.

Fish Oils and Bipolar Disorders

A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry shows fish oils may help people with bipolar disorders. Results showed nine of fourteen patients (64.3%) receiving fish oils responded favorably to treatment, compared to only three of sixteen placebo-treated patients (18.8%).

The same researchers treated another twenty-two bipolar patients with flaxseed oil (another omega 3 fatty acid oil). They found eighteen of these patients reported 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 ten (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. Could the other omega 3 fatty acid in fish oil, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), play a more important role in reducing the risk for depression and other mental illnesses?

Comments on Fish Oils and Depression Research

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 or reduce the risk for symptoms. Although data may be insufficient, there are reports from many people who've experienced positive results from using fish oils for depression.

What's needed is more control studies to determine the role of using fish oils and depression, bipolar disorders and other mental health illnesses. A 2005 study from the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality also recommends more research.

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 research on fish oils and depression is still new, 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 Groundbreaking Antidepression Diet and Brain Program.

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

If you're interested in learning more about the The Omega-3 Connection: The Groundbreaking Antidepression Diet and Brain Program, you can get more information at Amazon.com. The good doctor appears to know what he's talking about - a lot of reviews from people who bought this book experienced many positive results.

The research on fish oils and depression is still evolving. Please notify your health care provider or doctor if you would like to try using fish oils for depression. Do not reduce or alter your current medications until you contact your doctor and you can formulate a safe and effective treatment plan that will work for your individual mental health needs.

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