Fish Oil in Pregnancy Treats Depression Risks

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http://campaignfortruth.com/Eclub/210603/CTM-fishoils.htm

 

Fish Oil in Pregnancy Treats Depression Risks

 

 

Eating omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood such as tuna, herring, salmon and

sardines might stave off depression in pregnant women, both before and after

childbirth.

 

The federal government has issued warnings to pregnant women about eating fish

due to their potentially harmful levels of mercury, but government

recommendations still allow eating up to 12 ounces a week of a variety of

species.

 

In the study, researchers analysed 11,721 British women. They found that women

who consumed greater amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in seafood during the third

trimester were less likely to show signs of major depression during pregnancy

and for up to eight months after the birth.

 

Women with the highest intakes of omega-3, who consumed fish two or three times

a week, were half as likely to suffer from depression as women with the lowest

intakes.

 

According to researchers, the 12-ounce-a-week government recommendation would

allow for two servings of fish per week. Salmon, catfish and scallops reportedly

have very little mercury and fish-oil supplements are supposed to be mercury

free.

 

About 10 percent of pregnant women--13 percent to 15 percent among new

mothers--develop depression severe enough to interfere with their functioning.

 

Although studies looking at the risk of antidepressant drugs in pregnant and

nursing women have showed low risk, there have been few studies about long-term

effects. The current research shows a strong correlation between low levels of

omega-3 fatty acids and symptoms of depression, researchers said. However,

further studies are needed to prove that boosting levels of fatty acids will

fight depression.

 

Government warnings have urged pregnant women to avoid eating shark, swordfish,

king mackerel and tilefish because they can contain high levels of mercury,

which can damage the nervous system of the foetus. Additionally, fish may also

pose other contamination risks. Researchers suggested that women follow local

recommendations in regard to eating fish.

Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, San Francisco, CA, 20th

May 20 2003

 

DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT: First and foremost, especially with pregnant women as the

above study suggests, the use of omega-3 oils is an absolute must. It is also

clear that omega-3 fat supplementation and restriction of omega-6 fats will

profoundly improve the brain function.

 

Dr. Stoll, director of the psychopharmacology research lab at Boston's McLean

Hospital and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School,

discusses this extensively in his book The Omega-3 Connection. He also reviews

the new evidence supporting the use of omega-3 oils for depression.

 

However, as the FDA and EPA both strongly state, pregnant women should avoid

fish as most are contaminated with mercury that can cause neurodevelopmental

delays in about 10 percent of children.

 

When choosing your fish oil or cod liver oil, it is important to remember that

not all brands are the same. In my research - and in my clinical experience with

my patients - I have found that:

 

1) the liquid form is superior to capsules

2) that certain brands definitely seem inferior to others

 

So what is the difference between fish oil and cod liver oil? In short, fish oil

should be consumed in warm weather months and warm climates, while cod liver oil

should be consumed in cool weather months and cool climates. Cod liver oil is

high in vitamin D (and vitamin A); those in cool weather climates do not

generally get enough vitamin D. However, in warm weather, their vitamin D is

usually sufficient, as sunshine is one of the primary methods of obtaining this

vitamin; if you consume too much vitamin D in these warm weather months, you do

risk overdosing.

 

A reasonable dose for both fish oil and cod liver oil is one teaspoon for every

50 pounds of body weight daily.

 

Rather than using antidepressants to treat depression, it sure seems to make a

lot more sense to use the simple therapies recommended above, which are far more

effective and virtually non-toxic.

 

However, antidepressants are the top-selling therapeutic drug class, with $12.5

billion in retail sales annually, so it is easy to see why many people use a

drug-based solution to address depression.

 

RESOURCES:

The Mind Game

 

Available through www.credence.org

 

 

 

 

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