Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Depression
Y ou may have heard that omega 3 fatty acids can actually play a role in the treatment and prevention of depression. Does the rumor reign true? Can consuming omega 3 fatty acids really help fight depression? This article will give you all the information you need to know on the hot topic of omega 3 fatty acids and depression.
To begin, we will start by explaining what omega 3 fatty acids are.
Omega 3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids. This means that they are vital for human health. However, the body can’t make these essential fatty acids, so we get them in our diet by consuming foods that contain them, such as nuts, fish, and other seafood like algae (Ehrlich, 2011). So what makes omega 3 fatty acids so important? Well, other than reducing inflammation and lowering the risk of chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer and arthritis, omega 3 fatty acids are crucial in brain function and development (Ehrlich, 2011). The concentration of omega 3 fatty acids in the brain is high, making them important for cognitive and behavioral function (Ehrlich, 2011).This is where omega 3 fatty acids link to depression, since depression is a mental disorder.
DO OMEGA 3’S REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
There have been varied results found through studies about whether omega 3 fatty acids can relieve depression symptoms. Some studies state that they have found no benefit of omega 3 fatty acids on depression. Others have found that if those suffering from depression take omega 3 in addition to their prescribed antidepressants, they have greater improvement than those not taking omega 3s. (Ehrlich, 2011).Those who intake a higher ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 are less likely to get depressed overtime. Also, countries that eat a lot of fish high in omega 3 fatty acids have a lower depression rate than those countries that don’t. However, tests have been done that show that those who have depression along with an anxiety disorder do not benefit from taking higher doses of
To begin, we will start by explaining what omega 3 fatty acids are.
Omega 3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids. This means that they are vital for human health. However, the body can’t make these essential fatty acids, so we get them in our diet by consuming foods that contain them, such as nuts, fish, and other seafood like algae (Ehrlich, 2011). So what makes omega 3 fatty acids so important? Well, other than reducing inflammation and lowering the risk of chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer and arthritis, omega 3 fatty acids are crucial in brain function and development (Ehrlich, 2011). The concentration of omega 3 fatty acids in the brain is high, making them important for cognitive and behavioral function (Ehrlich, 2011).This is where omega 3 fatty acids link to depression, since depression is a mental disorder.
DO OMEGA 3’S REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
There have been varied results found through studies about whether omega 3 fatty acids can relieve depression symptoms. Some studies state that they have found no benefit of omega 3 fatty acids on depression. Others have found that if those suffering from depression take omega 3 in addition to their prescribed antidepressants, they have greater improvement than those not taking omega 3s. (Ehrlich, 2011).Those who intake a higher ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 are less likely to get depressed overtime. Also, countries that eat a lot of fish high in omega 3 fatty acids have a lower depression rate than those countries that don’t. However, tests have been done that show that those who have depression along with an anxiety disorder do not benefit from taking higher doses of