Many people feel nervous or anxious from time to time; for example, before facing an important or difficult event. However, a person suffering from anxiety disorder is often filled with feelings of dread most or all of the time, even though she may not know why. Anxiety often requires treatment, commonly with antidepressants or psychotherapy, as it can have serious impact on everyday life. Rather than increasing anxiety, some preliminary research suggests that fish oil might help to alleviate anxiety. Talk to your doctor before taking a fish oil supplement.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Fish oil is derived from the flesh of fatty fish like herring, tuna for and anchovies. A rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids known as omega-3s, fish oil is sometimes used as a complementary treatment for a host of medical conditions including Alzheimer's disease, depression, heart disease and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. An article published in the June 2008 issue of "Nutrition Research Reviews" notes that polyunsaturated fatty acids might play a role in the treatment of mood disorders, including anxiety.
Research
Research into the effects of fish oil on anxiety is limited. However, research findings published in the June 2011 issue of "PLoS One" found that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil help to reduce anxiety, leading the authors to conclude that long-term dietary supplementation with omega-3s may have a positive impact on anxiety disorder. The study was, however, undertaken in mice. Clinical studies are needed to confirm these effects in people with anxiety disorder.
Administration
You can obtain fish oil by eating broiled or baked fish. However, it is also available as a dietary supplement in capsules and as a liquid. Guidance regarding a suitable dose to help treat anxiety is limited, although your physician might be able to advice you as to an appropriate dose. Don't take more than 3 g daily unless your doctor tells you to, as higher doses may cause adverse effects.
Safety Considerations
MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, states that fish oil is likely safe for most people but adds that it may cause side effects including nausea, bad breath, rash and nosebleeds. High doses might also increase the risk of bleeding and prevent the immune system from working effectively. Fish oil supplements might interact with other medicines you might be using including anti-hypertensive drugs, oral contraceptives and anticoagulants. Consult your physician before taking a fish oil supplement to help alleviate anxiety.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Anxiety
- MedlinePlus: Fish Oil
- "Nutrition Research Reviews"; Is There a Role for n-3 Long-chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Regulation of Mood and Behaviour? A Review of the Evidence to Date From Epidemiological Studies, Clinical Studies and Intervention Trials; K.M Appleton, et al.; June 2008
- "PLoS One"; Omega-3 Fatty Acids From Fish Oil Lower Anxiety, Improve Cognitive Functions and Reduce Spontaneous Locomotor Activity in a Non-Human Primate; N. Vinot, et al.; June 2011
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