The Omega-3 Way to Better Mental Health

A study of more than 100 subjects has found that omega-3 fatty acids can influence mood, personality and behavior. Study participants with lower blood levels of omega-3s were more likely to have symptoms of depression and a more negative outlook, according to accepted tests for depression, impulsiveness, and personality. Those with higher blood levels demonstrated the opposite emotional states.The cardiovascular health benefits of omega-3 intake is well known, but the psychological effects are less studied. EurekAlert March 3, 2006 Dr. Mercola's Comment:You know how useless and dangerous antidepressants can be, yet many people take them reflexively on the advice ofa conventionally trained doctor, who has been brainwashed by the multi-national drug companies that influence the FDA. They also, in large part, contolthe jou als that publish deceptive studies that support the use of these expensive choices that in no way, shape or form treat the underlying cause of the illness. Certainlythe entireblame is not on physicians, as many patients are seeking a simple band-aidcure. They do not want to do the hard work that their body is screaming for them to do and address the underlyingemotional circuit disruption and diet changes that would improve their condition. Others are not even aware that these effective options exist, as the media does not widely support them --and the drug companies, and their control of virtually the entire medical system, certainly doesn't want the competition. What they don't want you to know is that depression, and many other diseases,can be beatennaturally and safely by eating the right foodscontaining omega-3 fats. Dr. Stoll is a Harvard psychiatrist who has done a great job of compiling the evidence supporting the use of fish oils for depression. Hisbook, The Omega-3 Connection, is an excellent resource for those that need more detailed information on this topic. Unfortunately,theideal source ofomega-3-- fish -- istypically not a safe solution because nearly all of them contain high levels of mercuryand PCBs. Until now, I've generally recommended using a high-quality fish or cod liver oil instead. However,since this is such a vital piece of the Total Health Program,I have carefully been researching this area for the last year and have come up with some surprising solutions. There is actually a type of fish oil that has more benefits than traditional fish oil. My personalintake of fish oil this year has been krill oil. Krill oil is not only full of the beneficialomega-3s, but also:

Is more stable than fish oil

Krill are at the bottom of the food chain and have virtually no time to grow and acquire toxic heavy metals, but even if they didn't they grow in some of the cleanest waters in the world, in the Antartic

The omega-3 fats have a phosphate attached, which allow it to work far more effectively in your brain

They are packed with cancer-preventing antioxidants as well

Just as with fish and cod liver oil, you have to be very careful about the krill oil you choose, as some brands are impure or diluted. However, krill oil isa type of fish oil and as such has very little vitami D, so ifyou are not getting enough sun exposure you will want to continue with cod liver oil. Vitamin D is such a critical element of health that it easilymakes cod liver oil your best choice of omega-3 fats if you aren't getting enough sun. As of this year I am officially a snowbird. I escape the Chicago winters and have full access to daily sunshine and ocean water, which is why I personally switched over to krill oil earlier this year.