Omega 3 Mood Benefits

Are there any omega 3 mood lifting benefits?

Apparently, yes! While it is unclear exactly how omega 3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA impact moods and alleviate depression, what is certain is that these essential fatty acids help regulate one's moods.

Significantly, omega 3 fatty acids also contribute to brain and mental health. They play important roles in proper brain cell function, as well as in neurotransmitter function. The health of cell membranes and nerve function also depend on omega 3's. In fact, a significant proportion of the brain itself is made up of omega 3 fatty acids!

One possible explanation for omega 3 mood lifting effects could lie in the neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps to regulate one's moods. Omega 3 fatty helps the brain in its re-uptake of this substance. In this way, these essential fatty acids help to give moods a boost.

Another possible explanation lies in the fact that omega 3 fatty acids produce certain compounds called prostaglandins, which are themselves very important for the proper functioning and health of the brain, including for one's moods.

The mood-lifting ability of omega 3's make them very useful for alleviating depression, as well as other mental disorders, for example bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, as well as conduct disorder. Protection against other mental health ailments such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia is also accorded.

Many studies show the link between omega 3 fatty acids and depression. For example, persons who were depressed were found to have lower levels of omega 3's in their bodies. Also, persons who ate a lot of fish, which has high amounts of DHA and EPA, were much less likely to suffer from depression, as compared to persons who did not. Further, some studies revealed omega 3 mood boosting effects on already depressed persons, helping to stabilize and improve their conditions.

Even pregnant mothers can give their children's future happiness a boost by consuming sufficient amounts of omega 3 fatty acids.

Besides being a great mood-lifter, omega 3's also provide a host of other health benefits, and should thus form a core part of any health-promoting diet.