Everyone experiences a "blue" mood every now and then. However, if you have persistent feelings of sadness, depression or a lowered mood, your quality of life and overall well-being can suffer. Sometimes, certain prescription medications can help improve the mood of patients suffering from depression. However, if you want a natural remedy or feel like you just need a mood boost, fish oil supplements may help. Fish oil is a not a cure for depression or any mental disorder. Consult your doctor before using fish oil supplements.
About Fish Oil
Fish oil is a beneficial source of omega-3 fatty acids. You can obtain omega-3 fatty acids from dietary sources such as cold-water fish such as salmon and mackerel. If you prefer not to eat fish, you can also use a fish oil supplement. According to Tufts Medical Center, omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in a number of important biological functions, including lowering inflammation and possibly providing benefits for inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, reducing the risk of heart disease and helping improve symptoms of depression, although clinical evidence supporting these claims remains limited.
Mood Disorders
Experiencing a low or depressed mood is normal from time to time. However, certain mood disorders, such as various types of clinical depression, can result in a persistently lowered mood and cause a number of additional symptoms, such as irritability, lethargy and a decreased sense of well-being. While it's unclear what causes mood disorders, scientists believe that a number of factors play a role. Some people have a genetic predisposition toward mood disorders. Others develop mood disorders in response to trauma, stress or illness. Although clinical mood disorders are often effectively treated with medication, psychotherapy or other forms of treatment, it may not always be necessary to take these measures, especially if you're not feeling depressed or sad all the time. Some research indicates that taking fish oil supplements may help provide a feeling of wellness and improve your mood.
Clinical Evidence
A limited number of studies confirm the benefits of fish oil for mood and mood disorders. A review published in the June 2006 issue of the "American Journal of Psychiatry" suggests that fish oil supplementation may be beneficial for certain mood disorders, as a deficit of omega-3 fatty acids appears to contribute to the formation of these conditions. Another review, published in 2005 in the "Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging," suggests that while further studies are needed to validate the effects of fish oil on mood disorders, it appears to help prevent stress, indicating a potential therapeutic role for people suffering from stress overload.
A study published in the March 2002 "American Journal of Psychiatry" found that patients who received an omega-3 supplement in addition to their regular antidepressant treatment experienced a significant improvement in their symptoms, although it is unclear as to whether the benefits were due to the fish oil alone or the combination of the two. Another study, published in the August 2005 issue of the "European Journal of Clinical Investigation," showed that omega-3 fatty acid produced a substantial improvement in mood among healthy study participants. However, there have also been studies showing that fish oil supplementation has no effect on mood or symptoms of mood disorders. Further clinical trials are necessary to fully evaluate the benefits of fish oil supplementation on mood.
Considerations
While fish oil supplements may help improve your mood and provide a number of health benefits, you should not use fish oil as a means to self-treat any medical or psychiatric condition. Consult your doctor to discuss your symptoms and obtain treatment advice. According to Tufts Medical Center, fish oil may cause interactions with certain medications. As with any dietary supplement, inform your doctor prior to using fish oil supplements, especially if you take any prescription or over-the-counter medication or have a medical condition.
References
- Tufts Medical Center: Fish Oil
- "American Journal of Psychiatry"; Omega-3 Fatty Acids...; G. Parker, et al; June 2006
- "Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging"; Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids...; J. Bourre; 2005
- "American Journal of Psychiatry"; Addition of Omega-3 Fatty Acids...; B. Nemets, et al; March 2002
- "European Journal of Clinical Investigation"; Blood Profiles, Body Fat and Mood State...; G. Fontani, et al; Aug. 2005
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