Fish Oil Depression Benefits

Are you aware of some very important fish oil depression benefits?

Fish oil is rich in omega 3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA, and this helps to explain the strong link between eating fish oil and depression prevention as well as relief.

How do such essential fatty acids impact moods and depression? This is something still unclear, although it is a known fact that omega 3's are critical for brain and mental function and health, as well as in mood regulation. These fatty acids, after all, play important roles in the proper function of brain cells and neurons. In fact, omega 3 fatty acids like DHA are said to form a significant proportion of the human brain.

Fish oil depression benefits could possibly also be explained through the fact that it helps in the brain's re-uptake of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter which plays a part in regulating moods.

The link between omega 3 and depression is clear. Broadly speaking, lack of omega 3 fatty acids and excessive levels of omega 6 fatty acids, a result of modern day dietary patterns, have been linked to many serious diseases, including depression. Certainly, there are many omega 3 depression studies and research which indicate that omega 3 fatty acids help with many mental and psychiatric conditions. Specifically, in the case of depression, there is a good body of evidence, too.

Fish oil depression benefits exist because it is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, such as DHA and EPA. Again, there is research to prove such positive effects. For example, studies suggest that persons who eat significant amounts of fish have a much lower rate - said to be only 10% - of getting depression, as compared to persons who do not. Depressed persons also tend to have lower amounts of omega 3 fatty acids in their blood.

High doses of fish oil have been shown to help stabilize and improve the condition of persons undergoing depression. One particular month-long double-blind and placebo-controlled trial showed that fish oil helped to alleviate depressive symptoms. Further, a University of Sheffield study found that fish oil played a part in relieving the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Another double-blind study, this one 4-month long, mirrored those results, having found that fish oil supplements helped to markedly lower the symptoms of manic depression.

As mentioned earlier, the discussed fish oil depression benefits apply because of the high amounts of the omega 3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, found in it. Indeed, these essential fatty acids are powerful brain boosters and mood enhancers, and should be a part of any anti-depression protocol.