Omega-3 fatty acids provide profound health benefits that affect every system of the body, not the least of which is the brain and central nervous system. Fats form the insulation that keeps nerve cells separated, ensuring effective transmission of nerve impulses. When your diet is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, research has shown that your brain functions more efficiently and your mood may improve.
Elderly Women
Depression in elderly women responds well to supplementation with omega-3 essential fatty acids, according to a study published in the 2011 "Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging." In the study, participants aged 66 to 95 years consumed 2.5 g of omega-3 essential fatty acids per day, comprised of 1.67 g eicosapentanoic acid, EPA, and 0.83 g docosahexanoic acid, DHA, for eight weeks. Symptoms of depression, as measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale were significantly lower after the first two months. A questionnaire of physical and mental symptoms showed significant improvement in the omega-3 group and levels of EPA and DHA in red blood cell membranes significantly increased in response to the fatty acid supplementation, say the authors of the study.
Cognitive Decline
A study of over 1,400 older adults with depression reported decreased cognitive decline with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. In the study, participants aged 55 years and older took omega-3 fatty acids for 18 months and showed significantly less cognitive decline than a control group that did not receive omega-3 supplementation, after accounting for age, gender and nutritional and vascular disease risk factors. Conversely, no association was found between fish consumption and cognitive decline, in the study, published in the 2011 "Journal of Nutrition and Healthy Aging."
Cardiovascular Disease
Depression that occurs together with cardiovascular disease can be helped with omega-3 oils, according to a study published in the December 2010 "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry." In the study, participants' diets were surveyed to determine levels of omega-3 fatty acids and correlated with cardiovascular disease and depression symptoms. The researchers found high triglycerides, greater waist sizes and higher body mass to be more prevalent in participants with major depressive disorder than in a control group without depression or cardiovascular disease. Also, omega-3 fatty acid levels were considerably lower in depressed patients, as were inflammatory cytokine molecules. The researchers concluded that decreasing cardiovascular risk factors may be an appropriate therapeutic strategy for depression in some people.
Bipolar Disorder
Omega-3 fatty acids provide effective symptom relief in adolescent bipolar disorder, according to a study published in the December 2010 "CNS Drugs" journal. Deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids is among the risk factors for developing bipolar disorder, along with psychological and social stresses, family history and substance abuse, say the authors. The authors note that omega-3 fatty acids offer a safe, low side effect and well-tolerated treatment option to antidepressant and psychostimulant drugs.
References
- "Rheumatology International"; Anti-inflammatory effects of a low arachidonic acid diet and fish oil in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Adam O, et al.; 2003
- "Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging"; Omega-3 polyunsaturated Fatty Acid supplements and cognitive decline: singapore longitudinal aging studies; Ng TP, Gao Q, Niti M, et al.; 2011
- "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry"; Major depressive disorder is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and low Omega-3 index; Baghai TC, Varallo-Bedarida G, Born C, et al.; 2010
- "CNS Drugs"; Preventative strategies for early-onset bipolar disorder: towards a clinical staging model; McNamara RK, Nandagopal JJ, Strakowski SM, et al.; 2010
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