Depression and Diet: Lack of Omega
3's?
ByGabe Mirkin, M.D.
In some people depression may be caused by
omega-3 deficiency which results from not
eating enough nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans
or deep-water fish.
Many psychiatrists treat depression
with drugs that raise brain levels of
serotonin. Now we learn that a diet deficient
in omega-3 fatty acids may lower brain
levels of serotonin and can cause depression.
Studies show that depression is associated
with low levels of red blood cell membrane
and low intake of omega-3 fatty acids,
that increased ratio of omega-6 to omega-3
fatty acids is associated with increased
severity of depression. Depression is
60 times more common in New Zealand (6
percent) than in Japan (.12 percent);
the difference may be explained by the
high intake of omega-3-rich fish by the
Japanese.
Post-partum depression is common in women
after they give birth. Pregnancy uses
up huge amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
Women with the lowest blood levels of
omega-3s are the ones most likely to suffer
post-partum depression.
Depression increases a person's chances
of getting a heart attack. Depressed people
often have low blood levels of omega-3s,
and so do people who are likely to suffer
heart attacks. So the association of depression
with heart attacks may be explained by
both being caused by low omega-3 fatty
acid levels. If these studies can be supported
by further studies, some cases of depression
may be prevented and treated by eating
plenty of deep-water fish, nuts, seeds,
beans and whole grains.
For journal references on the studies
mentioned in this article see http://www.drmirkin.com/nutrition/N228.html
Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk
show host for 25 years and practicing
physician for more than 40 years; he is
board certified in four specialties, including
sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds
of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com
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