Omega-3s-rich Cod Liver Oil Can Reduce Depressive Symptoms

Filed in archive Studies , Treatment on June 14, 2007

Omega-3 fatty acids have already been linked not only for good cardiovascular health but also for improved mood and behaviour, for reducing symptoms of depression.

Such previous studies already said a lot about the healthy benefits of the omega-3s and thus promote eating omega-3 rich foods like salmon and other oily fish or taking fish-oil supplements.

[Omega-3 are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) consumed predominantly in the diet from fish, nuts and seeds. The fish oil PUFAs include Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenioc acid (DHA). EPA is proposed to function by increasing blood flow in the body. It is also suggested to affect hormones and the immune system, both of which have a direct effect on brain function. DHA, on the other hand, is involved in the membrane of ion channels in the brain, making it easier for them to change shape and transit electrical signals.]

Affirming previous studies on omega-3s, a large Norwegian study revealed that a regular, long-term intake of omega-3 fatty acid-rich cod liver oil may protect people from symptoms of depression.

According to lead author Maria Baroy Raeder from Haukeland University Hospital:

"In this large population based cross-sectional study we found that daily use of cod liver oil was negatively associated with high levels of depressive symptoms and that the prevalence of such depressive symptoms decreased with the duration of cod liver oil use.

The users of cod liver oil were significantly less likely to have depressive symptoms than non-users after adjusting for multiple possible confounding factors (29 per cent reduction)."

Interestingly, the longer the duration of supplementation, the lower the prevalence of symptoms of depression - as reported in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

Aside from omega-3 fatty acids, cod liver oil is also rich in Vitamins A and D and was derived from livers of cod - a kind of fish.

Find more details from the full report.

[In photo: Carlson Laboratories - Norwegian Cod Liver Oil Lemon, 16.8 fl oz available via Amazon]