Article by Abdullah Salim

The Advantages of Omega-3Numerous medical studies in the last ten years indicate that omega-3 plays an important but still mysterious role in decreasing an individual’s risk of developing a depressive disorder such as post-partum depression. Omega-3 is a fatty acid primarily found in oily fish like mackerel and krill, and to a lesser extent in certain nuts and plants such as algae. This is not to be confused with omega-6, which does not seem to have any beneficial effects upon depression. This adds to omega-3′s already impressive reputation for helping to lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease.

Omega-3 cannot be manufactured by the body, so it must be consumed through eating certain foods or using supplements. One advantage is that omega-3 can be added to a depressive patient’s diet without negative interactions with that person’s medications. Science is still trying to isolate the ‘magic’ ingredient in omega-3, but the leading candidate is eicosapentaenoic acid (EPH.)

What is DepressionDepressive disorders are not to be confused with feelings of sadness or grief. Individuals suffering from depression experience these feelings as a chronic condition. Depression manifests in physical symptoms such as insomnia or chronic pain. Indeed, it is a potentially deadly condition because of the heightened risk of suicide or the tendency to self-medicate with illegal drugs and alcohol. Although there are numerous antidepressants available, they will not work for approximately one in five patients, according to ‘Shock: the Healing Power of Electroconvulsive Therapy’ (Avery; 2006.)

Patients upset with the side effects of prescription medications and resistant to shock therapy may obtain some relief through a dietary supplement of omega-3. Individuals who suspect that they are suffering from depression should seek medical intervention as soon as possible. Depression can affect those of any age, any ethnicity, any income bracket and gender. Any loved ones of a depressive should encourage them to go to a doctor. America’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) notes that one common symptom of depression is the patient’s firm belief that he or she cannot be helped.

Not a Magic BulletPatients with any chronic medical condition such as depression should ask their doctor’s advice before taking omega-3 supplements or multivitamin supplements containing omega-3. The Mayo Clinic states that there have not been sufficient studies conducted to definitively recommend omega-3 for depression, however it does acknowledge that initial studies have been impressive. Highlights include:

*A 1999 study of 30 patients with bipolar disorder done by Harvard University which concluded that the group taking fish oil showed the greatest improvement. (‘ Omega 3 Fatty Acids in Bipolar Disorder’, A.L. Stoll, et al.; ‘Archives of General Psychiatry’; May, 1999.)

*A 2006 study showed that omega-3 fatty acid helped improve the symptoms of 28 children from six to 12 years of age with major depression. (‘Omega-3 Treatment of Childhood Depression: A Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study’; H. Nemets, MD, et al.; ‘The American Journal of Psychiatry’; June 2006.)

*A study of 987 volunteers showed that omega-3 demonstrated excellent results for coronary heart disease patients in the prevention of depression. (‘Association between Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Depressive Symptoms among Patients with Established Coronary Artery Disease: Data from the Heart and Soul Study’. Ali, et al.; Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 2009.)

What about Eating Fish?Natural sources of omega-3 are plummeting while demand for the oil increases. The highest concentration of omega-3 is found in fish such as tuna, mackerel, krill, and salmon. When the American Heart Association recommended that individuals eat fish at least two times a week for heart health, demands upon the already overstrained fish populations put many species at risk of extinction. Scientists with the University of Alberta have predicted wild salmon in Canada will be extinct by 2018. Fish such as mackerel often contain mercury because they are continually exposed to pollutants in the ocean.Because of the increasing scarcity of fish and the questionable health of the available fish, consumers are turning to alternative sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Vegetarians and vegans obtain supplementation through walnuts, pumpkin seeds, soybeans and green vegetables, but it is wise to seek additional supplementation.

The Future of Omega-3Conventional medical science has already seen the benefits omega-3 provides to the heart. Studies show that individuals with depression often show improvement when omega-3 fatty acids are introduced into their diets. Furthermore, many individuals consume too much omega-6, which may interfere with the body’s ability to absorb omega-3. But when consumed in the correct ratio, omega-6 does not interfere with the health benefits of its sister fatty acid. Science is still determining what that correct ratio should be, but one study suggests it should be 2.5 parts omega-6 to one part omega-3 (‘The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids.’ A.P. Simopoulis; ‘Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy’; Oct. 2002.)

With more studies strengthening the link between omega-3 and relieving depression, there will be more pressure on pharmaceutical companies to create a synthetic version to replace the world’s dwindling fish stocks. Fish contain the largest sources of omega-3 because they consume algae and other oily fish. This concentrates the level of omega-3 in their bodies. Until synthetic fish oil is manufactured, patients should consider vegetarian sources of omega-3 as well as other therapies for depression. Since depressives also are prone to chronic illnesses such as heart conditions, omega-3 may also help to prevent heart disease from developing in these high-risk patients.

ConclusionClinical trials for omega-3 and EPH are ongoing, however, dozens of studies conducted on 1,000 individuals have shown significant evidence in favor of a correlation between proper omega-3 consumption and optimized mental health.

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