Why Omega-3 Can Be Used As A Treatment For Depression in 2020
In this video, we introduce Robert D. McMullen, MD who is a psychiatrist in NYC who has been performing psychopharmacology for over 30 years, the last 10 of which includes transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS). Today, he will discuss using Omega-3 as a treatment for depression.
Firstly, studies have shown that if you take Omega-3 it really helps with depression. The main fat present in Omega-3 that helps is EPA and a recommended dosage would be at least 2 grams a day. This was first described in a paper in 1999 by Andrew Stoll, who had remarkable results testing fish oil on patients suffering from depression. According to Dr. McMullen’s calculation, to achieve the results he did with his study, Dr. Stoll must have been giving his patients 18 pills a day of fish oil. Furthermore, one of Dr. McMullen’s patients has been receiving 18 pills a day of fish oil pills for depression since 1999. Whenever his dosage is decreased to 10, the patient immediately falls back into depression and remits as soon as the dosage is increased, which further shows the positive effects of fish oil supplements on treating depression.
Secondly, apart from double-blind studies performed, there are also observational studies performed that support fish oil supplements as a treatment for depression. One such study shows that Japanese people and Eskimos have very low depression rates. This is due to the fact that these people eat very large amounts of fish, meaning they consume large amounts of Omega-3.
Thirdly, there are a number of different types of lipids that are not equal in effect. Likewise, Omega-3 and Omega-6, in particular, have different benefits as well. Humans have 6 to 10 times as much Omega-6 (which we obtain from corn oil) than Omega-3 (which we obtain from fish oil) in the body, which is not good for both our physical and mental health. This is due to the fact that the walls of our brain cells are made up of 40% EPA and DHA, which are fats that we obtain from fish. Due to the fact that a lot of our food contains corn oil, our Omega-3 becomes a smaller part of our diet which affects the Omega-3 levels in the brain. Our ancestors consumed a lot more Omega-3 due to the fact their diet consisted mainly of plants and lean wild animals such as deer, both of which contain a lot of EPA and DHA. Therefore, limiting the daily consumption of saturated fats containing corn oil, and taking 2 fish oil pills a day will help us greatly in increasing our Omega-3 levels, which has shown to help with depression.
Fourthly, taking fish oil supplements has been found to improve mental health. One such study performed in Wales showed that women who were taking Omega-3 had a better memory, cognition, vigilance, and better overall wellness. Furthermore, another observational study was performed in Finland due to the high rates of heart attacks present there during the 1940s and 1950s because of the consumption of high levels of saturated fats. As a result, the people there were encouraged to limit consumption of saturated fats in order to lower the heart attack rates. Afterward, researchers discovered that the western half of Finland developed a lower depression rate than the eastern half of the country. This seems to be due to the fact that in the western part of the country, fish was relatively inexpensive due to the region’s close proximity to the ocean. Therefore, the western half of Finland began to consume much more fish in an effort to cut their consumption of saturated fats. The eastern half of the country consumed a lot less fish, which resulted in lower levels of Omega-3 in their diet. Overall, both sides of Finland saw a decrease in the rates of suicide and depression due to the fact that saturated fat slowly started to become a lower part of their diet from thereafter.
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These are just some of the findings presented in the video above regarding Omega-3 as a treatment for depression. For more information, call TMS Braincare at (212) 362-9635, or fill out a contact form at https://tmsbraincare.com/ today!
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