Defeating Depression

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Defeating Depression

 

http://www.mercola.com/2002/nov/30/depression.htm

 

 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, may hold the key to naturally easing

depression.

 

In the past, studies have shown that in countries where large amounts of

fish are consumed, rates of depression are low as compared with countries

where little fish is consumed. This has led researchers to examine whether

omega-3 fats found in the fish are responsible for the decreased evidence of

depression.

 

One study followed patients with bipolar disorder. Half of the participants

were given fish oil tablets and the other half received a placebo. After

four months, half of those on the placebo had fallen into depression, but

only two out the 15 people given fish oil were depressed.

 

Other studies have shown similar results indicating that omega-3 fatty acids

may in fact relieve depression, and some psychiatrists are now recommending

that their depressed patients increase their consumption of these fatty

acids.

 

In addition to its positive effects on depression, studies have linked

omega-3s with improved cardiovascular health, as well as shown them to be a

potential prevention and treatment tool for certain cancers and inflammatory

conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Omega-3 fatty acids have also proved beneficial to the development of

babies' brains; therefore, pregnant and breast-feeding women are encouraged

to consume these fatty acids. However, eating fish as a source of omega-3s

can be dangerous to pregnant mothers because of potentially high levels of

mercury in the fish.

 

One side effect that may occur from consuming increased amounts of fatty

acids through fish or fish-oil tablets is an increase in dyspepsia, or

indigestion that may result in gas, though researchers point out that this

has been the only side effect discovered.

 

Researchers noted that further studies need to be done to determine whether

patients would benefit from an increase in omega-3s in combination with

antidepressant drugs.

 

ABC News September 17, 2002

 

 

 

 

DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT:

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There are a number of studies that show that fish oils are associated with

decreased depression.

 

If this subject interests you, I highly recommend Dr. Stoll's book The

Omega-3 Connection. He is a Harvard psychiatrist who has done a great job of

compiling the evidence supporting the use of fish oils for depression.

 

It is important to recognize that I no longer recommend taking fish oil in

capsule form. Ideally, fish oil should be consumed in a liquid form, as then

there is no gelatin capsule to digest. Using high quality oil is essential

to ensure that the product is pure and fresh, though it can be hard to

locate a good brand in stores. I now offer Carlson's brand cod liver oil and

fish oil on this site. Carlson's is the only brand that I offer, as I have

tried several varieties and found that it is of superior quality.

 

 

 

The dose for both the cod liver or plain fish oil liquid is about one

teaspoon for every 50 pounds of body weight per day. So, if you weigh 150

pounds that would be about one tablespoon (three teaspoons) per day. This is

the equivalent of 15 typical fish oil capsules. This is a good initial dose

for most people, but if you notice any belching or repeating it is likely

your gallbladder is not digesting the fish oil properly and you may need to

take a high potency enzyme with plenty of the fat digesting enzyme lipase.

 

If you continue to have nausea with the fish oil, it is probably wise to

activate the Listen to Your Body Principle and avoid the fish oil until you

can be evaluated by a competent natural health care practitioner.

 

 

 

Many people are confused about the difference between fish oil liquid and

cod liver oil. It helps to consider cod liver oil as fish oil Plus. It is

the same as fish oil, but it has natural vitamin D and A. For most of us,

during the winter this becomes an important consideration as we don't

receive enough sun exposure to generate the vitamin D we need to provide us

with all the health benefits vitamin D has to offer.

 

 

 

If you are unsure about your vitamin D levels, you should have them

measured. Ideally, everyone should. If you overdose on vitamin D you can

actually cause osteoporosis and hardening of your arteries as it causes a

reverse effect. Unfortunately, very few physicians offer this test.

 

A recent study highlighted another reason for pregnant women to supplement

their diets with fish oil. (J Affect Disord 2002 May;69(1-3):15-29) The

study showed that mothers transfer DHA, a fatty acid found in fish oil, to

their fetuses to support optimal neurological development during pregnancy.

If the woman doesn't receive enough DHA, she runs the risk of developing

severe postpartum depression.