Diet's role in depression and stress; Omega 3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids affect risk of depression, inflammation

In recent years, research has shown that an increase in omega-3 fatty acids in the diet has specific health benefits, especially in patients with depression, cardiovascular disease and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

A new study suggests that people whose diets contain dramatically more of one kind of polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-6) than another (omega 3) may be at greater risk for both clinical depression and certain inflammatory diseases.

According to Jan Kiecolt-Glaser, professor of psychiatry and psychology at Ohio State and lead author on the paper:

"The data suggest that higher depression and a poorer diet in terms of omega-3 can work together to promote inflammation. Other researchers have shown that clinically depressed people -- those with more severe depression -- often have lower omega-3 levels in their blood, and several studies have shown that supplementing diets with omega-3 improves depression, although the reason isn't clear."

Since American diets often contain far more omega-6 than omega-3, this study indicates that by reducing omega-6 intake while getting just a little bit more omega-3then people might be able to reduce their markers for both stress and depression.

More research is required but this is one more argument in having a balanced diet and obtaining one's essential fatty acids in appropriate proportions.

Source: Press release from Ohio State University