Here's some great news for women going through menopause! A recent study, published earlier this year in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, presents the first evidence that fish oil supplements are effective for treating common menopause-related mental health problems. The researchers conducting the double-blind trial recruited 120 women ages 40 to 55 and divided them into two groups. Over 8 weeks, women in the first group took 1 gram of EPA and .15 grams of DHA a day (EPA and DHA are the two omega-3s in fish oil). In the second group, the women were given a placebo of 1g of sunflower oil, which contains no EPA or DHA. Test results before and after the eight week period showed that omega-3 significantly improved the condition of women suffering psychological distress and mild depressive symptoms. Women with hot flashes also noted that their condition improved after consuming omega-3s.

A new study out of Sydney, Australia has shown a link between depression (and bipolar disorder) and deficiency of Omega-3 fatty acids in ...

Melissa, one of our readers, wrote in to tell us how this heaven-sent health supplement was her salvation from ADHD: I've suffered serious depression and ADHD since I was a teenager. Of course, all my life, my diet was junk food, fast food, comfort food.   I've tried Ritalin, Paxil, Prozac and none have helped.  I decided, since reading some research on Omega-3s to go ahead and try changing my diet to add more tuna, salmon, and once in a while a can of sardines.

Here's a case study on fish oil that's simply fascinating.  From an article originally published in the Arizona Daily Star,  a person once addicted to methamphetamines (also known as Crystal Meth) successfully ...

A new study found that depressed rats had higher levels of Omega-6 fatty acids in their brains.  The researchers were surprised: "The finding that in the depressive rats the omega-3 fatty acid levels ...

I just discovered a study published in 1999 regarding the amazing benefits of refined fish oil in treating bipolar disorder (or manic depression), an affliction affecting over 13 million Americans. Dr. Andrew Stoll, ...

Several studies are now indiciating that fish oil can alleviate 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!

A recent article in Oregon's Mail Tribune reviews several studies regarding the benefits of fish oil and then speculates about the likelihood of manufacturers using it as an additive in all kinds of foods, including ice cream! The article does a good job of summarizing the science as well as numerous fish oil benefits: The two [omega-3] fatty acids in question --  eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) -- are purported to help your heart, your immune system, your mood, your aging brain and your dimming eyes. They've even been touted to possibly help ward off cancer. However, I do have some problems with some of the advice offered, particularly regarding the American Heart Association's (AHA) on consuming fish: