Omega 3 Depression

Memory Omega 3

Omega 3 depression annd Memory Omega 3....

Fish really is brain food, as various studies into Omega-3, depression, memory and other research suggests.

To summarize some of this research:

** In a study on memory, omega-3 supplements were fed to mice with a gene that induces Alzheimer's. The mice fed a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids suffered far less memory loss. Mice in the same study who were fed omega-6, a similar compound with a slightly different makeup, showed no difference in the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Now, granted, humans are mice, but it's still interesting evidence on the memory omega 3 connection.

Moving on to Omega 3 Depression...

** Researchers at McLean's Hospital in Belmont, MA supplemented the treatment of 30 patients suffering from bipolar disorder with either olive oil, or fish oil, which is high in the fatty acids, omega-3.

Depression was improved in 65% of the patients taking a fish oil supplement as compared to 19% of those taking the olive oil. The results were so clear that the study was ended early so that the placebo group could take fish oil if they wished. Notably, patients showed change in mania symptoms.

** In New Zealand, where diets are low in omega 3 depression is 60 times greater than in Japan. The average Japanese consumption of cold-water seafood is about 150 pounds per year. In New Zealand, the average consumption of fish is less than 40 pounds.

** In an Israeli study of the effects of omega3 depression was significantly improved in 20 patients diagnosed with clinical levels of depression.

There are more studies, most of which bear out the association between Omega-3 fatty acids, depression and memory omega 3.

A study by the National Institute of Health followed nearly 15,000 women from early pregnancy through 8 months post-partum found that in those who ate a diet with no seafood, which is rich in omega-3, depression was twice as likely.

Memory Omega 3

The two main components of omega 3 fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

EPA is used by the body to create the cell walls and structures of brain cells. When omega-3 fatty acids aren't available, the body will substitute omega-6 fatty acids, found in corn oil and other unsaturated vegetable oils for the omega 3. Memory suffers, as do nearly all other functions of the brain. Depression, ADHD, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease are just a few of the problems that have been associated with a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids.

So what does this all have to do with fish?

Fish, particularly cold-water fish, are one of the best food sources of omega 3 fatty acids. The American diet (and that of most other Western countries) is deficient in the essential fatty acids.

However, due to pollution in the Ocean waters almost everywhere in the world, what was once our best source of omega 3 fatty acids aren't as healthy as they used to be, which is why the FDA now advocates a limited consumption of fish.

Sadly, due to pollution in the Oceans, eating fish has become a double edged sword: if you want to consume fish sources for omega 3 depression or memory omega 3, you risk ingesting to many PCB chemicals or mercury and other neurotoxins. If you don't eat it, then you may become deficient in crucial EPA and DHA found in Omega 3.

The best way to get around this problem is to use fish oil supplements which have been molecularly distilled (which simply means it's been purified to remove any contaminants).

Here are a few warnings, however: if you are taking aspirin, coumadin or another blood thinner you should consult your doctor before using fish oil supplements because they are also anti-coagulants as well.

In addition, if you are interested in omega 3 depression or memory omega 3, we believe that you should use supplements that aren't sourced from cod liver oil because this type of fish is very high in Vitamin A, which can lead to vitamin A toxicity.

Click here to learn more about the purified fish oil Omega 3 supplements the editors here at Nutritional Supplement Info personally take.