Fw: Omega-3 fatty acids and DHA shown to treat, prevent depression

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http://www.newstarget.com/003021.html

Omega-3 fatty acids and DHA shown to treat, prevent depression

News summary:

Source: http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Nov04/omega-3.html

a.. There is mounting evidence that a diet containing omega-3 fatty acids,

already known to help prevent cardiovascular disease, may also prevent

depression.

b.. Dr. Levine has been studying DHA (docosahexaenoic acid -- a component

of omega-3s) and its effects on lowering triglycerides and raising HDL

(high-density lipoproteins) in overweight and obese patients with metabolic

syndrome.

c.. In a large Finnish study of fish consumption and depressive symptoms,

published in Psychiatric Services in April 2001, Tanskanen, et al.

demonstrated that the likelihood of having depressive symptoms was

significantly higher among infrequent fish consumers than among frequent

fish consumers.

d.. They theorized that the human brain is adapted to Paleolithic diets of

our ancient ancestors, whose diet comprised equal proportions of omega-3

fatty acids and omega-6 fats (found in corn and soy seed oils).

e.. In the past 100 years, Western diets have lowered the ratio of omega-3

to omega-6 to about 1:25; simultaneously, the prevalence of major depression

has increased.

f.. Percentages of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were

significantly lower, and the ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 PUFAs were

significantly higher in subjects with depressive disorders than in control

subjects.

g.. In a letter published in The Lancet in April 1998, he reported that

among healthy volunteers, low plasma concentrations of DHA predict low

concentrations of a marker of brain serotonin turnover.

h.. As a result of the hearings and recommendations by the joint

committees, on Friday, Oct. 15, the FDA announced that it will direct

manufacturers to add a " black box " warning to the health professional

labeling of all SSRI antidepressant medications to describe this risk and

emphasize the need for close monitoring of patients started on these

medications.

Printable version of this summary

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