Omega 3, Fat You Should Be Eating
If you are battling with anxiety or depression, you personally know how difficult these conditions can be. Maybe you have attempted therapy, but have found it too costly and not helpful enough. You may have even been written prescriptions for a number of different brands of antidepressants in an attempt to find the one that would work. Even with all of the different brands, nothing has worked. You may feel like you are stranded in a dark forest with no possible way out. Fortunately, there are ways to find your way out.
Alternative remedies for depression have been the subject of much buzz over the past few decades. While some of them turned out to be nothing more than hype, many of them have proven to be quite effective. For example, omega 3 supplements are one of the more useful supplements you can take for depression and anxiety.
Omega 3 supplements contain a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid that has numerous health benefits. These fats are naturally found in various foods such as fish, certain nuts, and flaxseed. The supplements are usually in the form of fish oil capsules, although some varieties use flax as a base.
There are several clinical studies that have shown clear benefits to taking omega 3 supplements when it comes to depression, anxiety, and other conditions such as bipolar disorder. The most prominent of these studies was one done in 1999 by Harvard University, which suggested that taking fish oil regularly could help combat these disorders. Since then, several smaller studies have shown similar benefits. Furthermore, depression levels are higher in countries with a low average consumption of seafood, including seafood rich in beneficial fats.
The omega 3 fats consist of two different acids- eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Of these two chemicals, EPA is believed to be the more active in treating depression and anxiety. So when you are looking for supplements, be sure to purchase one that is relatively heavy in EPA.
Depression and anxiety may feel like they will last forever, but they won't. Omega 3 supplements can go a long way toward ending your depression and helping you find your way back into the light. While you may be skeptical about self help for anixety and depression, these supplements are a proven potential solution.
In recent years, a great deal of attention has paid to the alternatives to standard pharmaceutical anti-depressants. While many alternative "cures" are simply placebos, supplements of Omega 3 prove to be very effective. They contain a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid naturally found in fish oil, nuts, and flaxseed. Aside from a 1999 study by Harvard University and similar smaller studies that suggest the utility of these supplements for depression, it can be observed that depression levels are higher in countries with a low average consumption of seafood. Supplements of this kind should be the first step in self help for anxiety and depression.
Published August 9th, 2007
Filed in Health
