Omega 3 fatty acids may help lower the risk for depression

A diet high in omega 3 fatty acids may help lower the risk for developing depression, various studies have found.

This essential fatty acid is believed to enable the neurons in the brain and the nervous system to communicate properly with each other, potentially lowering the risk of developing mood issues that lead to depression.

Depression is a mental disorder typified by general low mood, accompanied by low self-esteem, and lack of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. Many link depression to poor brain health, and omega 3 fatty acid is among the many items touted to help improve brain health, as well as that of the entire nervous system.

Omega 3 is a type of fatty acid that's essential to the life and health of human beings. This nutritionally important fatty acid can be found in the following forms:

(a.) a-linolenic acid ( ALA ) mostly found in vegetable sources like flax seed oil, canola oil, beans & broccoli;

(b.) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); and

(c.) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

The latter two are mostly found in cold water fatty fish like salmon, herring, trout and albacore tuna. The DHA form of omega 3 can also found in mother's milk.

Researchers from two notable institutions of neurological studies in France have found that a diet low in omega 3-fatty acids, alters the communication among neurons, and tends to increase the likelihood of developing mood issues.

More specifically, these scientists found that endocannabinoid receptors found in neurons and involved in their messaging process, did not work. This malfunction translated to shifts in mood that eventually led to depression.

The subjects studied were mice that were provided a diet with low levels of omega-3 but high in omega-6, another essential fatty acid found in foods such as vegetable oils.
These findings apparently tie in with results from other epidemiological and neurobiological studies that have suggested that a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids may predispose people to certain psychological disorders such as depression.

Furthermore, several preliminary clinical studies based on small numbers of patients have suggested that omega 3 supplements with high concentrations of EPA may be helpful in reducing symptoms of depression among patients who fail to respond to an initial treatment of anti-depressants.

Another study by researchers at the University of Sheffield in Britain has also found that fish oil supplements alleviated the symptoms of bipolar disorder, depression and psychosis.

However, these studies have yet to sway the entire scientific community. A wider, more inclusive study is therefore warranted to help obtain further knowledge on the value and efficacy of omega 3 fatty acid supplementation among patients suffering from major depression.

But there has been a general consensus among health practitioners that indeed omega 3 has terrific beneficial effects on the brain and the nervous system.

That this fatty acid is one of the constituents of mother's milk seem to attest to nature's intent of providing it as an important brain development agent for babies and the very young.

Of late, a dietary lack of this fatty acid has been linked to the development of ailments such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease in the elderly. And with the recent studies seemingly concluding that low amounts of omega 3 fatty acid may contribute to higher risk for depression, there now seems to be a wealth of evidence that suggests people have a need for optimum amounts of this critical fatty acid at all junctures during the course of their lives.