Fish oils; A cure for depression

[Guest guest]

This article states that the possible cure for depression may be

essential fatty acids from fish oils.

From: http://www.yourhealthbase.com/database/a130k.htm

" Dr. ph Hibbein of the National Institutes of health believes

that the reason for the increase in depression can be directly

attributed to a major shift in dietary patterns, specifically fat

intake. He points out that the vast increase in the use of soy,

corn, palm* and cottonseed oils in the last 100 years has totally

changed the traditional ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in

the diet.

*Bee's note: palm oil is a good fat that is highly saturated,

therefore it should not be lumped with the other vegetable oils.

Soy oil consumption in the US, for example, has increase thousand-

fold in the last 100 years helping to skew the omega-6 to omega-3

ratio from about 1:1 to today's 16:1. This, Dr. Hibbein believes,

spells trouble. The brain consists pretty well entirely of fat so

clearly one's fat intake could affect one's brain composition,

particularly the ion channels which channel signals in and out of the

brain.

There is also evidence that low levels of omega-3 fatty acids are

associated with low levels of the mood hormone serotonin. Dr.

Hibbein's hypothesis is supported by the fact that the incidence of

depression is considerably lower in countries with a high fish

consumption.

Fish, particularly fatty ocean fish, is an excellent source of omega-

3 fatty acids and its frequent consumption would help to nudge the

ratio back towards the optimum 1:1. At least three clinical trials

have observed a marked improvement in depressed patients given

relatively high doses of fish oils. "

Editor's comment (at the bottom of the article): Daily

supplementation with 1-3 grams (1,000 to 3,000 mgs) of a high quality

fish oil is entirely safe and may not only improve your mood, but

help protect you from heart disease, stroke and arthritis as well.

For more information on the benefits of fish oils check out

www.oilofpisces.com

Bee's notes: It is advisable to take Fish Oils the summer months and

Cod Liver Oil in the winter months if your area does not get enough

sun. Cod liver oil contains Omega-3 and Vitamins A and D:

Carlson's contains (per teaspoon):

-1,006 mgs. omega-3

-1,000 mgs. vitamin A

-400 mgs. vitamin D

-1 mg. vitamin E

Garden of Life contains (per teaspoon):

-962 mgs. omega-3

-4,500 mgs. vitamin A

-480 mgs. vitamin D

-5 vitamin E

Fish oils, as opposed to cod liver oil, contain Omega-3 fatty acids

(the brand I take is made from sardine, mackerel and anchovy), with

added Vitamin E (to preserve it).

The best in health,

Bee

[Guest guest]

Makes me wonder about S.A.D. (seasonal affective

disorder) which I've also suffered from for years. I

ordered some cod liver oil yesterday from Carlsons. I

chose that brand because I don't like mint and Garden

of Life had mint flavoring in it. It shipped yesterday

which is amazing so it should be here by the end of

the week I would assume. Hugs, Carol B

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Carol, that's interesting because my Garden of Life is lemon

flavoured.

Bee

[Guest guest]

I've been wondering about this " seasonal affective disorder " for a while.

Hopefully this isn't too much off-topic, but I have a theory that I'd

like to try to back up with facts some day.

In the first place, as winter approaches in the northern hemisphere,

outside plants die off. Plants are what produce oxygen from carbon

dioxide during photosynthesis. So it seems to me that the oxygen levels

in the air we breathe would drop somewhat during the winter. This would

make the body more susceptible to illness. But I've never seen any studies

examining the oxygen percentage in the air in winter vs. summer, so I

don't know if this is true or not. But one solution would be to fill your

house with plants that continue to grow during the winter. Simple enough!

It seems the generally accepted factor is the shorter amounts of daylight

during the winter. It makes sense to me that this would enter in as well.

Recommended " phototherapy " would be an acceptable treatment to me (give

the body some extra light) but I certainly would not take any

antidepressants for the condition.

The third factor is candida overgrowth. Most of us know it has mental

effects as well as physical effects. I think far more people are

affected by it than is commonly believed.

Add all three of these things together and it's no surprise people get ill

more often and don't feel as well, physically and mentally, during the

winter.

Zack

On Tue, 28 Dec 2004, Carol Brown wrote:

>

> Makes me wonder about S.A.D. (seasonal affective

> disorder) which I've also suffered from for years. I

> ordered some cod liver oil yesterday from Carlsons. I

> chose that brand because I don't like mint and Garden

> of Life had mint flavoring in it. It shipped yesterday

> which is amazing so it should be here by the end of

> the week I would assume. Hugs, Carol B

>