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Fatty Acids in the Treatment of Depression
Connie Limon
Some preliminary studies suggest the omega-3 fatty acids may help with mood stabilizing. Alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid are well known essential fatty acids. They are essential because they are necessary for life and cannot be made in our own bodies. We have to get them from foods or dietary supplements.
Omega-3 fatty acid is found in canola oil, soybeans, wheat germ, flaxseed, walnuts, and fish as well as many other foods. The special health benefits attributed to the omega-3 fatty acids, which includes their effects on mood disorders, have been mostly the two derivatives:
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
Docosohexaenoic acid (DHA)
These two derivatives are less plentiful in our modern day diets. The most concentrated source is fatty fish, especially salmon, tuna and mackerel. Our diet is rich in saturated fats from animal products and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, but fairly poor in polyunsaturated fats, especially the omega-3 fatty acids, and in particular, the fish oils that are the main source of EPA and DHA. Evidence is not yet available on the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in the diet in relation to mood disorders.
Interesting also is that there is some evidence of an association between omega-6/omega-3 dietary imbalance and heart disease that occurs at a far higher rate than average among people suffering with depression. It is clear that both kinds of polyunsaturated fats improve the body's cholesterol balance and lower the rate of heart disease.
There have been two large studies providing direct evidence that people who eat fish are less likely to become depressed. The correlations do not prove that low omega-3 fatty acid intake is a "cause" of depression mainly because there are other factors that may influence the onset of depression. These factors include:
Hereditary characteristics
Cultural differences
Economic differences
It is still good to know that those of us who like fish may be helping to ward off bouts of depression. The actual cause of depressive episodes involves many more variables.
One experiment suggests a mixture of EPA and DHA may be helpful in the treatment of bipolar disorder. The study showed patients were less likely to relapse and scored better on most tests for depressive symptoms when they took daily supplements containing EPA (6.2 g) and DHA (3.4 g) in addition to their usual mood-stabilizing drugs. Only complaints were a fishy taste and some occasional mild stomach upset. In the experiment, the supplements were more effective for depressive episodes than for manic episodes. Some physicians reported episodes of mania or hypomania (a mild form of mania) that were possibly induced by omega-3 fatty acids, however, many of their patients were also taking flaxseed oil, which is made up mostly of ALA. It is suggested that perhaps the amount of EPA and DHA the body makes from ALA is adequate for normal health, but may not be sufficient to prevent bipolar mood swings.
It is not known how "high doses of omega-3 fatty acids" works to relieve mood symptoms. It could be that they act like the serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antidepressant drugs that increase the availability of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the spaces between neurons. Another theory is that omega-3 fatty acids work in a similar way as the mood stabilizer lithium. Lithium, although not the drug of choice today for bipolar illness, works by altering signal transduction, the chemical processes that occur inside a neuron when a neurotransmitter docks at receptors on its surface.
Of course, there is much more research to be done before anyone can definitely say "high doses of omega-3 fatty acids" work to relieve mood symptoms and that an antidepressant nutrient has been discovered.
It is suggested you eat fish at least twice a week and particularly salmon, sardines, tuna and mackerel. A dietary supplement of a high quality fish oil supplement is also helpful, however, before starting any kind of dietary supplement, check with your health care professional about its appropriate use for you.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. It is recommended you always seek the advice of a health care professional for any kind of health problem.
Source: Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Treatment of Depression. Harvard Mental Health Letter [serial online]. October 2001;18(2):4. Available from: MAS Ultra - School Edition, Ipswich , MA . Accessed August 16, 2008.
Written by: Connie Limon Learn more about dietary supplements at http://smalldogs2.com/DietarySupplements For a variety of FREE reprint articles visit http://www.camelotarticles.com
Article submitted Saturday, August 16, 2008
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