Is fish oil effective for depression?

Is fish oil effective for depression?
photo credit: Anshu A @anshu18 @unsplash 

Is fish oil effective for depression?

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | health blog | psychology blog

Study reveals that fish oil has a potential for treating depression, even in cases where traditional anti-depressant medicine does not work. This finding is crucial as it opens up an avenue to broaden our understanding and explore alternative therapies for depression, considering that a third of those afflicted do not respond to conventional antidepressant medicines.

Fish oil is a good source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both of which are forms of omega-3 fatty polyunsaturated acid which humans can’t manufacture on their own and thus have to obtain from their diet. Omega-3 plays a huge role in healthy mental and cardiovascular functioning.

Research paper published in Molecular Psychiatry revealed that fish oil does not act directly on neurons, but rather on its covering called glial cells. Furthermore, omega-3 is thought to have an anti-inflammatory effect which is beneficial to the brain.

Although considered a generally safe natural remedy, taking fish oil is not a standalone treatment for depression.

Currently fish oil can be used in conjunction with conventional treatment for depression as a supplement. However, if you are planning to use fish oil to prevent or manage depressive symptoms, make sure to first consult your physician to discuss and balance potential risk with benefits. Taking high doses of fatty acid can increase a person’s risk of bleeding.

One can directly consume fish oil from fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, sardines, but fish oil supplements are also available in the market.

Aside from depression, fish oil has been shown by clinical trials to exert benefits among individuals with bipolar and mood disorder.

Resources:

University of Illinois at Chicago. "Adult stem cell study shows fish oil may help with depression: Researchers use stem cells from adults with depression to test treatments." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 June 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200611143054.htm>.

Burhani, Mansoor D, and Mark M Rasenick. “Fish oil and depression: The skinny on fats.” Journal of integrative neuroscience vol. 16,s1 (2017): S115-S124. doi:10.3233/JIN-170072