Omega 3, Is This A Miracle Drug?
If you struggle with anxiety or depression, you know firsthand how devastating these afflictions can be. Perhaps you have tried going to therapy but found it expensive and of little help. You may have been prescribed brand after brand of antidepressant, trying to find something that worked, but met with disappointment again and again. It can feel like being lost in a desolate forest. Luckily, there are roads 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.
The polyunsaturated fatty acids in omega 3 supplements bear numerous benefits for your general health. Omega 3 fats are found in many foods, especially flaxseeds, some nuts, and most kinds of fish and seafood. The supplements may use flax as the base, but more often fish oil is the primary ingredient in the capsules.
Several studies have shown that the use of omega 3 supplements can have a positive effect on conditions ranging from depression and anxiety to bipolar disorder. Of these studies the most prominent is that of Harvard University in 1999, the results of which showed that regular consumption of fish oil could aid in combatting these conditions. There have been several other studies since that have confirmed these results. Further evidence is seen in the fact that countries with lower than average seafood consumption experience higher levels of depression.
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.
Finally, remember that if you suffer from depression or anxiety, it does not have to control your life indefinitely. Adding omega 3 supplements in your daily diet may be a solution. Even if you've tried and failed to find help in a different place, these supplements can be your real self help for anxiety and depression.
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 anxiety and depression, these supplements are a proven potential solution. 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. Among the two kinds of the acid, EPA is regarded as being more favorable for depression and fears. If you select an addition, look for one therefore which contains more of this kind.
Published August 9th, 2007
Filed in Health, Weight Loss
