Goodbye Prozac, Hello Fish Oil
Several studies are now indiciating that fish oil alleviates depression. These studies were prompted by some very interesting observations:
Scientists first became interested when they noticed that countries with the highest fish consumption had the lowest rates of depression. They also observed that mothers in England who ate very little fish during pregnancy doubled their risk of developing postpartum depression compared to women who ate fish regularly.
They then found that it did the same thing that Prozac did — Watch out, Eli Lilly!
Researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids, when fed to piglets, had the same effect on the brain as the antidepressant Prozac: They raised levels of a critical neurotransmitter, serotonin.
“After only 18 days, those animals that were fed the enriched formula had double the level of serotonin in their frontal cortex, in the part of the brain that regulates depression and impulsivity,” said Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, a senior clinical investigator at the National Institutes of Health.
Double the serotonin in only 18 days?! That’s pretty amazing if you ask me. Another study further supports these findings:
At Sheffield University in England, Dr. Malcolm Peet gave omega-3 fatty acids to 70 depressed patients who had not been helped by drugs such as Prozac. After 12 weeks, 69 percent of the patients showed marked improvement compared with 25 percent given placebos.
The researches then recommend 1 gram a day of omega-3 fatty acids. 1 gram?!? What are they thinking? Maybe they should read Dr. Sears’ book, The Anti-Inflammation Zone. I noted in a previous entry of a study that noted “higher doses of fish oil were needed to produce clinical benefits.”
Thanks for this wonderful blog.
I have a couple of comments about the benefits of fish oil that I would like to add.
Scientific Evidence Reveals a Diet Rich in Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids Helps support:
a healthy brain
a healthy heart
a healthy immune system
healthy joint movement
healthy kidneys
balanced mood and sense of well being
strength and stamina
and helps maintain cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range.
There are so many benefits to fish oil that most people should seriously think about taking it. However, not all fish oils are manufactured the same, so it’s very important that you take a pure oil and one that is free of contaminants.
I honestly think that for the people that need it, fish oil is great for mood. It doesn’t have the same effect as prozac. I’ve been on them both. Fish oil is guaranteed to work. The only problem i’m facing right now with the fish oil is my mood seems to be so balanced that I don’t feel any emotions. I just feel calm and relaxed….yeah good stuff, but damn, i’d rather feel some emotions…..
I also have never read anything bad about this supplement. I’ve been taking 3.6 grams of fish oil daily (DHA / EPA 50/50) for almost 1.5 years now. I feel like I am more confident and don’t have any anxiety, but I don’t think that’s a good thing. Sometimes anxiety is good for you and helps you focus. I feel smarter, but zoned out and have less thoughts.
So, honestly, I don’t know what to think. Does anyone know if the effects from fish oil are permanent or if they wear off? Right now i’m going to go without the supplements for awhile and see what happens…..It also seems like my sense of humor is worse in the fact that I cannot think of funny things to say like I used to, but I laugh more at others…..I don’t really like the tradeoff…..Anyways, I’m liking the blog, keep up the good work!
You explain how I feel, kinda. Most of my anxiety has disappeared which is wonderful, because I had terrible anxiety before, but my emotions are flat like you said. Its interesting. Id much rather take fish oil than drugs though!! I am on 1500 EPA/ 750 DHA
I have been taking fish oil for years. Yes it has worked wonders. My wife is much improved since she started taing it. I highly recommend fish oil to all my friends. My blood work is excellent now and my moods are also better.
Thanks.