1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

Intake of fish rich in oils because of its omega-3 fatty acids content has been said to be helpful to boost mood and cognition by scientists.
Omega-3 acids, found in significant quantities in salmon, swordfish, and tuna will help relieve depression in people already in maintenance therapy for depression, the study also discovered.
The finding carried out in Israel supports previous British research which suggested the anti-depressant properties of fish oils. In a study involving 20 people with recurrent depression, researchers studied the effects of a specific omega-3 fatty acid, known as E-EPA.

Patients randomly received either the fish oil capsule or sugar pill in addition to the anti-depressant medication they were taking. After four weeks, six out of 10 patients receiving E-EPA, and only one of 10 receiving the placebo, had significantly reduced symptoms of depression. The study was published in the March 2007 issue of American Journal of Psychiatry.
The effect of E-EPA was significant from week two of treatment. This, the lead author Boris Nemets, a researcher at Ben Gurian University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel noted is helpful with that such symptoms as depressed mood, guilt feelings, worthlessness and insomnia. The symptoms had all improved.
In the past, animal studies have found that raising omega-3 intake leads to structural brain changes. In humans, a link between omega-3 and mood has been observed, but no mechanism for this has been identified.
Sarah Conklin, PhD, and colleagues from the University of Pittsburgh's Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Program assessing 55 healthy adults found that those who had high levels of omega-3 intake also had higher levels of gray matter in areas of the brain associated with emotional arousal and regulation.
An assessment of their gray matter volume using high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging scan suggests that omega-3 may promote structural improvement in areas of the brain related to mood and emotions, the researchers said at the annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society in Budapest, Hungary.
Ability of fish to boost mood and improve mental health, a survey of 200 people carried out in Britain also corroborated.
The researchers that did the survey found 88 per cent of those studied reporting that changing their diet improved their mental health significantly. Twenty-six per cent said they had seen large improvements in mood swings, 26 per cent in panic attacks

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about The health benefits of oily fish?
We want to hear your view. Write now!