Fish Oils

There is considerable evidence to claim that fish oils help in combating depression and other mental illnesses. British researchers have found that a lack of polyunsaturated fats called omega-3 may be responsible for some cases of depression. They examined the fatty acid composition of red blood cell membranes in both depressed patients and non-depressed controls. The depressed group had significantly fewer omega-3s, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), than the control group.

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 who ate very little fish during pregnancy doubled their risk of developing postnatal depression compared to women who ate fish regularly.

In trials which took place at Sheffield University, doctors gave omega-3 fatty acids to seventy depressed patients who had not been helped by drugs such as Prozac. After twelve weeks, sixty nine percent of the patients showed marked improvement compared with twenty five percent given placebos.

While all fish contain these fats, cold-water fish like salmon, sea bass, tuna, trout and mackerel are particularly rich sources. This is because of their diet, which consists mainly of plankton which is packed with omega-3s. Cold-water fish also boast the most potent forms of omega-3s - the essential fatty acids known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA).

Scientists are constantly discovering new health benefits for fish oils and their essential fatty acids (EFAs, including omega-3s). Specifically, fish oils MAY help to:

Prevent certain cancers.
Treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Control diabetes.
Ease menstrual cramps and the pain associated with them.
Ease mood swings.
Prevent and treat cardiovascular disease, including complications of high blood pressure.

A daily supplementation of a high quality fish oil is entirely safe and even if it does not help your OCD it would help to improve your mood, protect you from heart disease, strokes and arthritis as well!

The best way to get fish oils and omega-3s is to eat two to three portions of oily fish a week. The types of fish commonly classed as ‘oily’ are salmon, halibut, mackerel and sardines. If the thought of eating fish does not appeal to you then of course you can take omega 3’s in the form of a nutritional supplement available at most health-food stores.

However, you must be aware that Doctors don’t recommend fish oils for everyone. Fish oils have been said to suppress the immune system, increase glucose levels and cause nausea and diarrhoea. They’ve also been known to make blood less able to clot, so people who are on a blood thinner should not take a fish-oil supplement or it could increase the risk of bleeding.

We would strongly recommend checking with your GP for advice should you experience any side effects or if your already on medication.

 

Tips for taking supplements:
Take fish oil supplements with meals.
Fish oil supplements can rapidly go rancid; store the pills in the refrigerator and avoid buying them in bulk.

 

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