Saturday, January 23, 2010

Omega-3 Fish Oil Remains One of the Best Natural Alternatives to Anti-Depressants


Scientists initially became interested in Omega-3 oil and its effect on depression when it was found that countries which consumed more fish had lower rates of depression. They also found that pregnant mothers in England who ate very little fish doubled their risk of developing postpartum depression compared to women who ate fish regularly. So scientists began a series of studies to see why. In a report from ABCNews, At Sheffield University in England, Dr. Malcolm Peet gave omega-3 fatty acids to 70 depressed patients who had not been helped by drugs such as Prozac. After 12 weeks, 69 percent of the patients showed marked improvement compared with 25 percent given placebos.

These researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids, when fed to piglets, had the same effect on the brain as the antidepressant Prozac: The Omega-3 raised levels of a critical neurotransmitter, serotonin. Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated oils, which are found abundantly in seafood and especially salmon. This fish oil contains a fatty acid (DHA docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid EPA) with the most direct influence on brain development and function.

"The DHA is highly concentrated in the brain," Hibbeln told ABCNEWS, "and it's concentrated in the brain right where the neurons communicate with each other and all the signals pass back and forth." The DHA from omega-3 makes up the walls of neurons, Hibbeln said. "The body cannot manufacture DHA so it has to get it from our diet."

Omega 3 has also been found to fight and prevent heart disease, cancer, arthritis, alzheimer's disease, ulcers, diabetes, hyperactivity and other diseases. It also can increase your ability to concentrate as well as your energy level. Other forms of Omega-3 can be found in flaxseed, walnuts and a few other foods, but the most helpful form is found in fish. Omega-3 is natural and can be easily incorporated in your daily diet. It not only can relieve you of depression but can prevent heart disease, and a host of other ailments. This is a simply solution to depression and it is far less expensive then seeing a doctor, and far less hazardous to the massive side effects that you find in antidepressants.

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