Stress is our body's reaction to stimuli that we perceive as potentially taxing or threatening. It can have a physical, mental and emotional impact on our body and lead to the development of mild, moderate or severe health problems. Many of the symptoms of stress are conditions that may be alleviated through the use of fish oil. Consult your doctor about the use of fish oil before taking it.
Heart Disease
Stress can have a devastating effect on your heart, causing you to experience palpitations, high blood pressure and even heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil aids heart health in a variety of ways. They reduce the risk of arrythmias, decrease triglyceride levels, slow down the production of atherosclerotic plaque and slightly lower blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association.
These benefits are even possible among individuals at risk of or who have a cardiovascular disease.
Anxiety
Prolonged periods of stress can contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are characterized by intense feelings of nervousness and worry. The anxiety becomes so uncontrollable and overwhelming that it interferes with your ability to function on a day-to-day basis. In the November 2005 issue of "European Journal of Clinical Investigation," Dr. Giuliano Fontani and colleagues found that daily consumption of omega-3 for 35 days resulted in lower levels of anxiety.
Depression
Depression is a common response to stress, especially when you perceive something to be too much for you to handle or out of your control. Depression is associated with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness and leads to disability if left untreated. Fish oil seems to have an impact on depression and is possibly effective in the treatment of depression. According to MedlinePlus, fish oil taken in conjunction with antidepressant medication for depression seems to improve a person's response to the medication. However, the website also notes that fish oil may exacerbate some symptoms of depression.
Immune System
During times of stress, your immune system may become more vulnerable. Repeated stress can have a great physiological toll by depleting you of necessary resources to fight stress. In the 2003 issue of "Diabetes and Metabolism," Dr. Jacques Delarue and researchers found that 7.2 g of fish oil per day for three weeks significantly reduced the amount of epinephrine, cortisol and energy exerted by mental stress in men. Epinephrine is a hormone that increases heart rate and cortisol is a hormone associated with blood pressure and the functioning of your immune system.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Stress symptoms: Effects on your body, feelings and behavior
- CDC: Deaths and Mortality
- American Heart Association: Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- MedlinePlus: Fish Oil
- OnlineLibrary: Cognitive and physiological effects of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in healthy subjects
- PubMed: Fish oil prevents the adrenal activation elicited by mental stress in healthy men
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