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For free friendly advice or to order over the phone with a card call: 01772 883950
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Depression and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The human body cannot synthesize Omega-3 fatty acids, which are polyunsaturated fatty acids and they are considered essential to normal, human functioning. Plants (particularly flax, canola, walnuts and hemp) and fish (particularly ocean fish such as sardines, anchovies, salmon and mackerel) are good dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Plants contain the parent omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which can be converted into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).1
Omega-3 Intake Declines, Depression Rates Climb
In Western countries, over the last century, there has been a significant
drop-off in omega-3 fatty acid intake. The opposite can be said of omega-6
intake. Although essential, omega-6-rich oils are found in abundance in the
North American food supply. Currently these omega-6 oils (corn, safflower,
sunflower, cottonseed, sesame) are outnumbering omega-3 fatty acids. by a ratio
of up to 20:1.
As recommended by the international panel of essential fatty acid experts in
the Journal of the American College of Nutrition this ratio is a long way off
the close to 1:1 omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. The average daily intake of EPA/DHA
is 520mg short of published recommendations and 870mg short of the 1000mg recommended
by the American Heart Association in cases of heart disease.
Rates of depression have dramatically increased in Western countries in direct relation to the depletion of omega-3 fatty acids from the Western food supply. Additionally, depression is occurring more frequently in younger people. The average age of depression has continued to lower over the last 100 years and scientists, investigating the change in rates of depression, have made it clear that these findings cannot be explained away by changes in attitudes of health professionals. Perhaps the inadequate omega-3 intake, the major deviations in fatty acids ratios and the quarter-century-old message that all fat is unhealthy has had an untold influence on rates of depression.
Fish Consumption and Depression
A number of studies have examined fish consumption data and compared them to rates of depression. Dr. Joseph Hibbeln of the National Institutes of Health is a pioneer in this area. He has shown that higher national consumption of fish for a nation equals lower rates of depression versus countries consuming the least amount of fish. He also shows that higher fish consumption is related with lower risk of postpartum depression and seasonal affective disorder. Other researchers have shown that even within a nation, fish consumption is associated with lower risk of depression and higher mental health status. Finally, researches are now observing increasing rates of depression in regions of the world that are moving away from traditional omega-3-rich diets to typical Western foods.
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For free friendly advice or to order over the phone with a card call: 01772 883950
Omega 3 fish oils Pure EPA is available exclusively from mind 1st.
Mind1st Information Line: 01772 883950
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