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Improve Depression With Omega-3 Fatty Acids?




When you get older, much of your body starts to slow down.

You could experience aches and pains when getting out of bed, and you may not be as sharp as you once were.

This can take an emotional toll on you, possibly leading to depression.

And depression can be very scary and potentially life threatening.

However, researchers may have stumbled upon something significant in regards to depression.

It might surprise you that your intake and concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids could play a large role in depression.

Of course, omega-3 fatty acids can’t control every event in your life.

But current research could point to a new discovery: omega 3s could be more important than we once thought!

Let me explain…

Hippocampus Size and Depression

High levels of cortisol could lead to weight loss.

But, based on research, increased levels of cortisol could also cause your brain function to decline.

A region in your brain, the hippocampus, could be a potential site for cortisol to bind to.

This binding of cortisol could lead to a decrease in the size of your hippocampus.

And people who suffer from depression or even severe depression may be affected.

There could potentially be a decrease in hippocampal size.

And research suggests that this could be due to increased cortisol levels.

A decrease in hippocampal size could lead to a decline in cognitive function and your ability to immediately recall information.

And this could decrease EVEN more as you age.

Researchers have searched for answers to help ease depression in people.

And there is mounting research behind the potential of omega-3 fatty acids and improvements in depression-related scores.

The research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids could be a key player when it comes to depression.

And omega-3 intake could also improve cognitive test scores in people suffering from depression.

Improved scores may be associated with adequate omega-3 fatty acid levels in your brain, and also fatty acids found in your red blood cells.

Confused?

Let me explain…

Omega-3 and Depression

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in a number of different foods.

The most potent form of omega-3 fatty acids comes from marine sources, from Fish and Krill oil supplements, and from vegetables in the form of ALA.

When consumed, these fatty acids are broken down and transferred throughout your body.

ALA, the plant form of omega-3, is broken down and converted into DHA.

This conversion process is less efficient and produces significantly less omega-3s, than you find in marine sources.

Mounting clinical research shows that Fish and Krill oil could be a great source of omega-3s, with Krill oil having a possible edge over the competition.

The omega-3s found in Krill oil are bound by a phospholipid backbone, which could be a better way to transport EPA and DHA to your cells.

Your body could be able to absorb omega-3s in the phospholipid form BETTER than when bound by a triglyceride backbone (fish oil), according to some research studies.

DHA, which is one of the omega-3 fatty acids, has the potential to play a very large role in the development of synaptic cell membranes.

Low DHA levels found in your brain have been shown in research to speed up cognitive decline, and possibly lead to depression.

However, there is mounting research on the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, and how they could  play a role in preventing or reducing the severity of depression - in all age groups.

Researchers aimed to see if omega-3 fatty acid intake increased cognitive function and improved depression scores in the elderly.

They also wanted to determine if the delivery system (erythrocytes) may be affected by low omega-3 levels, and if that could translate into increase depression and lower cognitive scores.

They recruited 132 people who had recovered from depression or severe episodes of depression.

The researchers discovered that people with increased levels of EPA and total omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cell membranes, showed dramatically higher cognitive scores.

Increased levels of EPA and ALA compared to lower levels of AA (arachidonic acid), provided the highest cognitive scores.
AA is a form of omega-6 fatty acid.

Research suggests that omega-6 fatty acids could increase inflammation in your body.

However, after the researchers took into account age, gender, and education level, the results were not significant.

But…

When they tested them for immediate recall of information, higher concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids showed dramatic improvements.

And the concentrations of omega-3 were higher in the red blood cells.

They only observed these results in participants who recovered from DEPRESSION.

But there’s even more…

Another study noticed that depressed patients had significantly lower omega-3 concentrations in their red blood cells.

This was not attributed to diet or caloric intake.

And, the more depressed the individuals were, the lower their red blood cell concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids were.

They concluded that red blood cell concentration of omega-3 fatty acids could directly impact the severity of depression.

Depression and Omega-3s

Omega-3 fatty acids have gotten a lot of press for the many health benefits they may provide.

And the FDA is encouraging companies to include omega-3 fatty acids in products to increase your omega-3 intake.

Omega-3s are powerful fatty acids, and must be obtained for your diet from marine sources, or some vegetables.

If you don’t like fish or aren’t able to get enough vegetables into your diet, then a high quality Krill oil supplement may be the best thing for your overall health and well-being.

Depression could be a major player in the lives of everyone, especially the elderly.

Mounting research shows that lower omega-3 levels in your brain and blood cells could potentially lead to depression and cognitive decline.

Increasing omega-3 fatty acid intake may reduce depression symptoms or the severity of depressive episodes.

Research suggests that Omega-3 fatty acids may play an important role in your health and well-being as you get older - for the better!


NEXT: Another Way To Increase Omega-3 Fatty Acids Into Your Daily Routine >>






References

:Axelson, D.   Doraiswamy, PM.  McDonald, W.  Boyko, O.  Tupler, L.  Patterson, L.  Nemeroff,  C.  Ellinwood, E.  Krishnan, KR.  Hypercortisolemia and hippocampal changes in depression.  Psychiatry Research.  1993.   Vol. 47(2):pp. 163-173.

Edwards, R.  Peet, M.  Shay, J.  Horrobin, D.   Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids levels in the diet and in red blood cell membranes of depressed patients.  Journal of Affective Disorders.  1998.  Vol. 48 (2-3):pp. 149-155.

Chiu, CC.  Frangou, S.  Chang, CJ.  Chiu, WC.  Liu, HC.  Sun, IW.  Liu, SI.  Lu, ML.  Chen, CH.  Huang, SY.  Dewey, M.  Stewart, R.  Associations between n-3 PUFA concentrations and  cognitive function after recovery from late-lift depression.  Am J Clin Nutr.  2012.  doi: 10.3945/ajcn.111.015784. 

About Jayson Hunter & Jaylab Pro

Jaylab Pro was founded by Registered Dietitian Jayson Hunter. Jayson has been recognized as one of America's foremost weight loss experts by America's Premier Experts™. He has also been featured in USA Today for this accomplishment. Jayson is also a best-selling author having co-authored multiple books in health & fitness and business growth. Jayson and the Jaylab Pro team are proud to create content that helps improve the lives of millions of people around the world. We hope you enjoy it just as much as others have.

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