Fish oil deficiency has been associated with depression, suicidal tendencies, anger and aggressive behavior. The active components of fish oil that have been studied for their benefits in helping to alleviate negative moods are the omega-3 fatty acids named DHA and EPA. While there is no medical consensus as to their efficacy in treating mood disorders, authorities including Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin consider them helpful, particularly in cases of severe depression.
Defusing Anger and Hostility
An interesting study to determine fish oil's effects on regulating hostile moods was conducted by researchers reporting in the September 2006 edition of "Psychiatry Research." The scientists enrolled 24 patients with a lifelong history of substance abuse, aggressive behavior and problems with the law into a controlled trial. Their average age was 51 years. All the participants were enrolled in substance abuse program. The researchers measured their baseline intake of omega-3 fatty acids and noted that participants with a history of physical violence consumed about half the amount of fish as did those without a history of assault.
The Study and Results
The study participants were randomized into two groups. On a daily basis, one group received five placebo capsules while the other received five fish oil capsules providing a total of 2750 mg of omega-3s. All the capsules contained lemon oil to mask their taste and smell. At the end of three months, the researchers tested the participants for anger. The anger score in the group given fish oil had dropped by over 50 percent. The mood effects persisted for another three months after supplementation was stopped. The anger score for the placebo group did not change.
Childhood Depression
Noting that 2 to 4 percent of children suffer from major depressive disorder, Israeli researchers reporting in the June 2006 issue of the "American Journal of Psychiatry" tested the ability of fish oil to relieve childhood depression. They enrolled 20 children between the ages of 8 and 12 years and randomized them into two groups. One received a daily dose of 600 mg omega-3s and the other group received a placebo. At four weeks the fish oil group had significantly improved their rating on the Childhood Depression Rating Scale with 7 out of 10, improving greater than 50 percent.
Suicide Risk
Researchers reporting in the May 2001 issue of the "Archives of General Psychiatry" gathered data on fish consumption, depression and suicidality from residents living in Kuopio, Finland. More than 1,750 subjects replied to mailed questionnaires. Depression was estimated using the Beck Depression Inventory or BDI. Depression was determined by a BDI score greater than or equal to 10. Suicidality was considered to be present if there were any thoughts of self harm. Fish consumption was estimated with a food frequency questionnaire. Both the risk of being depressed and the risk of having suicidal tendencies were significantly lower among frequent fish consumers.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Depression: Fish Oil Supplements
- "Psychiatry Research"; Long-chain N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Decrease Feelings of Anger in Substance Abusers; Laura Buydens-Branchey, et al., January 2008
- "American Journal of Psychiatry"; Omega-3 Treatment of Childhood Depression; Harriet Nemets, et al.; June 2006
- "Archives of General Psychiatry"; Fish Consumption, Depression, and Suicidality in a General Population; Anitt Tanskanen; May 2001
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