Fish oil for depression was actually based on a study made by Stoll, where in based on their testing phase, 11 out of 14 patients who consumed fish oil were found to have decreased depression symptoms.
Only two of them suffered from a manic-depressive episode during the process. Now, how could fish oil possibly be an anti-depressant? This is because of the Omega-3 fatty acids found in all fishes and other foods such as soy and tofu. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are fatty acids under Omega-3 that give benefits to a person’s brain.
Depression, anxiety, lassitude, suicidality and mood swings in a person are very hard to deal with. Many have tried taking anti-depressant drugs and considered seeing a shrink for a therapy to alleviate this illness.
However, many of these people also experienced short-term relief, if not, failure that eventually depressed them even more. Researchers and doctors have discovered alternative ways to prevent depression, and one of these is the use fish oil.
According to the study of Andrew Stoll, M.D. of the Harvard Medical School, fish oil turns out to be helpful in stabilizing the walls of the nerve cells, which brings about an anti-depressant effect to a person. Also, it was proven that, apart from depression, fish oil can also remedy bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
More than half of the brain’s weight is fat. Fats in the brain are the building blocks of cell membranes and the fatty acids help form these cell membranes.
Fish oil for depression, because of Omega-3 fatty acids will regulate the flow of hormones that can affect an individual’s mood. It also regulates other chemical messengers to help in balancing the mood of a person.
To get the amount of Omega-3s used in Stoll’s study, he says that one should have to eat six to 32 cans of tuna a day. Something that is not possible. Also, because of issues regarding contamination in fishes, it is possible that you will face more health risks due to poisoning.
It is good to eat fish two to four times a week but if you need something for mood stabilization, the most practical way is to take fish oil supplements. Remember to consult a doctor for this.
Fish oil for depression has proven to be effective in many cases that is why fish oil has supplements have gained popularity in the market. But not only for depression does fish oil prove to be beneficial to a person’s health, because it greatly helps in the healing of inflamed intestines’ inner linings, reduces symptoms of asthma, angina and gallstones.
It also thins your blood and it stops your platelets from joining together that brings about clotting, which can consequently lead to heart attacks. If you decide to take on fish oil pills or supplements, an average dose of 2g-4g a day will help in lowering the level of cholesterol in your body.