Omega 3 And Depression The Ultimate Cure for Depression
Micheal Thomas
Have you been feeling down or depressed lately? Have you been taking heavy doses of anti-depressant medicines but to no use? Don’t worry, the cure is here. Unbelievable as it may seem, depression and various other mental problems can be successfully treated with the help of Omega 3 fatty acids.
Omega 3 or the essential fatty acids are an integral part of our cell membranes and are crucial for a healthy body. However, our body cannot directly synthesize these fatty acids, which is why we need to get them from our diet.
The dietary sources of Omega 3 include fish, fish oils, sunflower oil, walnuts, flaxseed oil and green leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli. Researchers consider fish oil as the richest source of Omega 3 as they contain both DHA & EPA.
Omega 3 and Depression
Scientific studies have shown that a low intake of Omega 3 fatty acids affects the mental health and leads to depression in many cases.
Statistically, more than 19 million people in the Western countries suffer from depression. It is also evident that in these countries people consume very low quantities of omega 3 foods.
A series of clinical experiments were conducted to establish the relationship between Omega 3 and depression. It was found that in countries such as Japan, Korea etc where fish consumption is high, the rate of depression is very low.
The fatty acids DHA (Docosahexanoic acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) present in fish oils are known to boost the nervous system and enhance blood circulation. This helps in suppressing the symptoms of depression thereby acting as an anti-depressant.
Doctors and health experts have now started prescribing fish oil supplements to people suffering from depression, schizophrenia and sleeping disorders. This is because omega 3 fatty acids enhance the effect of anti-depressant medications and also strengthen the brain cells and membranes in the body.
Omega 3 fatty acids boost the functioning of Serotonin, a hormone that controls nerve impulses. When serotonin is functioning effectively, you feel happier. In cases where the serotonin hormone is not communicating properly with the brain cells, a sense of well being is lost and the individual feels depressed.
In addition to depression, Omega 3 also helps in treating insomnia and migraine headaches. The DHA and EPA acids present in fish oils have a remarkable effect on the nervous system and brain cells.
Most people feel that depression is a state of mind and is completely psychological. However, improper nutrition can inhibit the functioning of brain cells and result in a variety of mental disorders.
Treat Depression with Omega 3 Supplements
Fish oils are known to provide far more omega-3 than any other food. But don’t just jump and buy any fish oil available in the market. For maximum benefits, make sure you buy the oil that is rich in both DHA and EPA.
One of the most popular fish oils is the one extracted from the Hoki fish, a cold-water species found in New Zealand. Hoki fish has naturally high levels of DHA and EPA, thus fish oil extracted from it is considered far superior than others.
Most of the oceans, rivers and other water sources have high levels of mercury and other contaminants. Certain companies use a molecular distillation process to remove these impurities from the fish oil and make it safe for human consumption. Thus, make sure you buy pharmaceutical grade, molecularly distilled fish oil.
Micheal Thomas is an editor for a series of health related websites. Learn about the best fish oil capsules that we ourselves use daily after extensive product comparisons and research over at http://www.omega-3-fish-benefits.com
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