Higher omega-3 correlated with better mood!

[RedOnce]

March 8, 2006

Higher omega-3 fatty acid levels correlated with better mood

A study funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, reported at the 64th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society held in Denver on March 6, 2006, found that people who have higher blood levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are more likely to report a positive mood. Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in fish and fish oils, as well as flaxseeds, walnuts and other plant foods. Research has continued to reveal an array of benefits associated with their intake, although the majority of the studies have focused on their cardiovascular effects.

Sarah Conklin, PhD and colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine measured blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids in 106 healthy participants who were not asked to change their diets. Separate tests for depression, personality and impulsiveness were administered to all participants.

The researchers found that subjects with low omega-3 levels reported more mild to moderate symptoms of depression, a more negative outlook, and greater impulsivity. Those whose levels of the fatty acids were higher were discovered to be more agreeable.

Dr Conklin, who is a postdoctoral scholar with the Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine's department of psychiatry, commented, "A number of previous studies have linked low levels of omega-3 to clinically significant conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse and attention deficit disorder. However, few studies have shown that these relationships also occur in healthy adults. This study opens the door for future research looking at what effect increasing omega-3 intake, whether by eating omega-3 rich foods like salmon, or taking fish-oil supplements, has on people's mood."

http://www.lef.org/whatshot/index.html#hofa

[bryant69]

1. Omega 3. What a cheery name.

With a name like that, I'm surprised it's not more popular. It in no way reminds me of some cheesy seventies sci-fi movie.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[BlueManDude]

2. Soilent Green n/t

[yorkiemommie1]

3. well since i have been so miserable the last week

and i have a bottle of that stuff on the counter, i'll go take some.

i'd read a little about this a while ago. caught my eye since my sister is schizophrenic.

[Bandit]

4. I wonder if some of this new information is actually quite old

Remember when Christians ate fish once a week. Is it possible that there was some passed down knowledge from distant past that required the eating of fish at least one day a week for good health. Baptism is another thing I believe was passed down from distant past for the cleansing of more than just the soul. Remember cleanliness is next to Godliness.

[Why Syzygy]

5. That's an interesting point.

I researched online a year + ago and found this might be a solution to my down mood.
I found it seemed to work for me. Anecdotal. The lady in the shop said she had never heard of it being used for mood regulation, but I was the third person to come in recently with the same idea.

The fish insight is interesting. Can't go with the baptism angle.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

10. Someone posted here just a few days ago

to the effect that the whole "fish on Friday" thing was a Vatican plan to assist the Sicilian fishing industry -- no religious requirement at all.

[FloridaPat]

6. Thanks. Here's another interesting article about food and emoitions.

http://www.wanttoknow.info/050520schooldietchange



"Before the Appleton Wisconsin high school replaced their cafeteria's processed foods with wholesome, nutritious food, the school was described as out-of-control. There were weapons violations, student disruptions, and a cop on duty full-time. After the change in school meals, the students were calm, focused, and orderly. There were no more weapons violations, and no suicides, expulsions, dropouts, or drug violations. The new diet and improved behavior has lasted for seven years, and now other schools are changing their meal programs with similar results."
-- Jeffrey M. Smith, Author of Seeds of Deception"

[callous taoboy]

7. I can attest to omega-3

I take a teaspoon of Carlson's Lemon Flavored cod liver oil each morning (it's delicious) and I see a marked improvement in mood. It literally lubricates the brain! Good for skin, hair and nails as well.

Carlson's, of course!

[Stanchetalarooni]

8. MARTEK - Maker of organic Omega-3 up 12% today.

MARTEK is a company that manufactures this stuff.
It occurs naturally in cold-water fish like salmon however the fish get it in their system by eating other smaller creatures that then get it from a sea algae.
MARTEK grows the algae and then extracts the omega-3 oil from it.
They have been selling it to baby formula company's as it is critical to nursing babies.
They recently let out contracts for it to be added to soy milk and yogurt.
Kellogg's will be putting it into some of their products soon.

[slackmaster]

9. Salmon makes me smile

Mmmmmmmmmmmm. Salmon.