Omega 3 Fatty Acids And Depression
Specialists have concluded after performing a series of medical trials that there is a direct relationship between the amount of omega 3 fatty acids found in the body and a series of mental conditions: moderate and mild depression, bi-polar disorder and post partum depression.
Both fatty acids, DHA and EPA, are used to treat these conditions, but there are situations when only one is prescribed. Recently, medical scientists have concluded that one fatty acid, DHA, may have a higher role in protecting the nervous system than the EPA fats. Studies started when scientists noticed a lack of neurological conditions such as depression, in people who eat aliments very rich in omega 3.
Fish oil is preferred to other supplements because it has the highest concentrations of DHA and EPA. Botanical omega 3 sources, such as flax seed oil, contain more of the ALA fat. The body needs to transform it into the forms it can use, DHA and EPA. This conversion can hardly happen in some situations (elderly or ill people).
Other food containing omega 3 can be consumed, but you should know that fish oil is the only natural resource which offers rich quantities of both DHA and EPA.
People who do not like eating fish or who cannot increase enough of the fish in their diet so their bodies would receive the necessary doses can resort to fish oil supplements.
Fish oil supplements have been proved to be the most efficient in treating these medical conditions. Up to a 48-51% reduction of depression symptoms has been noticed in people who had been given these supplements.
People suffering from depression have low DHA fatty acid levels and this is due to a lack of omega 3 rich foods in their diet. Another study conducted in London has reached the conclusion that these acids, especially DHA, can help treat the bi-polar disorder. Because there is a connection between depression and chronic fatigue, these efas are also used to treat this syndrome.
Medical specialists concluded that the improper amounts of these efas in the body is one of the causes of depression and by prescribing patients suffering from mental conditions fish oil supplements, this helps improve their symptoms.
Jean Helmet is a content editor who focuses on a wide array of niche health topics. Her latest website - Natural High Dha Fish Oil focuses on omega 3 as a whole, and in particular, a natural product our editors personally use with excellent health results known as - Dha Esters
Be sure to check out our Omega 3 Dha Esters, it is the natural supplement we use and recommend to friends and family, and have done for over 3 years.