omega-3 fats, not for the heart alone

Filed in archive Studies on March 6, 2006

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine presented a study at the 64th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society in Denver, linking omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to mood, personality and behavior.

Using 106 healthy volunteers, researchers found in the study that participants who had lower blood levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were more likely to report mild or moderate symptoms of depression, a more negative outlook and be more impulsive; while those with higher blood levels of omega-3s were found to be more agreeable.

"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," said Sarah Conklin, Ph.D., a postdoctoral scholar with the Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Program in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "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."

Fish, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids is recommended for consumption twice a week, according to The American Heart Association based upon evidence that a diet high in fish is associated with improved heart health and reduced risk for heart-related problems.

Source: UPMC News Bureau