Are Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Depression Related to Each Other?
Omega 3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA are found in fish oil and they are required for proper development of the nervous system. It is therefore a general finding that omega 3 fatty acids and depression (and other psychological illnesses) are related to each other.
Omega 3 fats prevent depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. All these diseases are related to mental health and occur as a result of severe DHA deficiency in the body.
DHA is required for proper nerve transmission and it is also one of the basic building blocks of the brain. Omega 3 fats if taken in adequate amounts also affect a person’s mood and behavior. It has also been found that postpartum depression in women also occurs as a result of DHA deficiency.
Pregnant women need DHA and EPA in large amounts because their baby obtains all the nutrients from the mother’s blood. It should also be kept in mind that our body is incapable of producing omega 3 fats on it own. Because of this reason they are known as essential fatty acids and should be consumed through diet.
Infants receive their share of DHA and EPA from their mother’s milk. The importance of omega 3 fats and the connection of omega 3 fatty acids and depression can also be judged by the fact that human milk contains large quantities of both DHA and EPA.
Hyperactivity in growing children is also a mental disorder and it occurs when babies fail to receive adequate amounts of DHA from their mother’s milk. All these facts tell us how important DHA is for overall health and well-being. The significance of DHA in our everyday diet cannot be overemphasized.
However, there is one problem with the consumption of DHA and EPA. There are not many food sources available that contain good amounts of both fats. Only fish, seafood, flax seed oil, some other plant oils, walnuts and tofu contain DHA and EPA in good amounts.
A healthy alternative is to consume fish oil capsules and other omega 3 supplements available on the market. These supplements are pure and totally harmless. They can be consumed by people of all ages since they do not cause any side effects. Other alternative foods can also be used like omega 3 enriched eggs and canned fish.
It is advisable to consume at least 3 fish oil capsules on a daily basis to fulfill omega 3 requirements.