Let’s start with a disclaimer. If you are suffering from depression or any other ailment, you should consult with your doctor before starting any form of treatment. That said, there’s probably a lot you can do on your own to deal with mild or even moderate depression (although serious depression will probably require pharmaceutical treatment and/or therapy). You may not be aware of the fact that the food you eat has the ability to affect not only your physiology, but also your mental and emotional state. When you’re eating a healthy and balanced diet, free of saturated fats, sugars, preservatives, chemicals, and so on, you’re going to feel a lot better than if you are stuffing yourself with chips, sodas, and candy bars all day. And omega 3, found in foods like flaxseed, walnuts, salmon, soybeans, and a variety of other items (also available in supplements), may help to alleviate the symptoms of depression. But how does it work?
In truth, it’s a bit complicated. Omega 3, as you may know, is an essential fatty acid. Once it is metabolized, it stores in the body, bringing you all kinds of health benefits (providing it isn’t superseded by omega 6, which shares the same enzyme chain). However, there are two components to omega 3 that could be important when it comes to dealing with the symptoms of depressing. Two of the active ingredients in omega 3 are called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and the levels of these ingredients can differ depending on the food or supplement you choose. The thing to remember is that EPA is the one you want more of, so you’ll have to seek out sources that have higher levels of EPA listed.
Now to the proof. Several studies were done (most notably by Harvard in 1999, and again in 2006) to show the connection between depression and omega 3. Although results have been spotty at best, it seems pretty clear that the two are related and that further studies need to be conducted. The real problem is that researchers haven’t quite pinpointed exactly what it is about omega 3 that causes those with depression to realize relief, so they’re having a difficult time replicating results from one study to the next. Thus far, several mechanisms within omega 3 have been suggested as the proverbial smoking gun, the reason that omega 3 helps those that suffer from depression. But so far the only thing that seems to cause a difference in the effect is related to levels of EPA and DHA.
So should you take omega 3 as a way to treat depression? Honestly, everyone could probably be getting more omega 3. So you should absolutely consider adding more to your diet. However, if you plan to use it for the sole purpose of reducing the symptoms of depression, it should be taken alongside whatever treatment you already have in progress, rather than as a replacement. And again, consult with your doctor. A diet heavy in fish or even an overdose of omega 3 comes with its own dangers, so you want to make sure you’re taking it correctly for maximum benefits without any potential drawbacks.
Jessica Lewis writes for BluWiki where you can find Menards Coupons and Spanx Coupons.