2008 Woodie Awards
In a bad mood? Try eating fish
Ceren Akinci
Issue date: 3/30/06 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 1
If you are in a bad mood, try eating fish. American Heart Association recommends at least two servings of fish a week for better physical and mental health.
Aside from being a great source of protein, fishes like salmon, tuna and sardines carry high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which help protect against disease.
According to omega-3info.com/goodhealth, fatty acids are essential in the formation of new tissue and in neurological functions such as the brain and retina. Omega-3 continues to play an important part in development in infancy, as well as teenage and adult years. Studies have found that aggressive teenagers who were given supplements of DHA, omega-3 fatty acids, drastically reduced stress levels and anger. Low levels of omega-3 in adults have been linked to depression as well. Research has showed that when given omega-3 supplements, a controlled group of suicidal, depressed patients have displayed a better mental health in just after four months of treatment.
Statistical research has been done to prove omega-3's effectiveness against some psychological disorders. A research led by New York State Psychiatric Institute of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons proved that greater seafood consumption often meant lower rates of bipolar disorders. Also referred to as manic-depressive disorder, the disease causes high levels of energy, which alternates, with abnormally low level of depression, according to WebMD.
A recent press release by the University of Pittsburgh reported that participants of a study group with high levels of omega-3 were more agreeable and positive, while those with lower level of omega-3 had a negative outlook and showed signs of irritability. The research was presented to the American Psychosomatic Society in Denver.
"A number of previous studies have linked lower 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, a postdoctoral scholar who works in the Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Program.
"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," Conklin said.
For better mental and physical health as well as improved mood, opt for anchovies, Atlantic mackerel, trout, salmon and sardine. These fishes contain the most amounts of omega-3 acids with the lowest amounts of mercury, a toxic heavy metal that occurs in big fishes such as shark, swordfish as well tilefish. Omega-3 supplements, which should not replace the fish as the original source of nutrients, can be purchased at most health and vitamin stores.
Aside from being a great source of protein, fishes like salmon, tuna and sardines carry high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which help protect against disease.
According to omega-3info.com/goodhealth, fatty acids are essential in the formation of new tissue and in neurological functions such as the brain and retina. Omega-3 continues to play an important part in development in infancy, as well as teenage and adult years. Studies have found that aggressive teenagers who were given supplements of DHA, omega-3 fatty acids, drastically reduced stress levels and anger. Low levels of omega-3 in adults have been linked to depression as well. Research has showed that when given omega-3 supplements, a controlled group of suicidal, depressed patients have displayed a better mental health in just after four months of treatment.
Statistical research has been done to prove omega-3's effectiveness against some psychological disorders. A research led by New York State Psychiatric Institute of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons proved that greater seafood consumption often meant lower rates of bipolar disorders. Also referred to as manic-depressive disorder, the disease causes high levels of energy, which alternates, with abnormally low level of depression, according to WebMD.
A recent press release by the University of Pittsburgh reported that participants of a study group with high levels of omega-3 were more agreeable and positive, while those with lower level of omega-3 had a negative outlook and showed signs of irritability. The research was presented to the American Psychosomatic Society in Denver.
"A number of previous studies have linked lower 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, a postdoctoral scholar who works in the Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Program.
"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," Conklin said.
For better mental and physical health as well as improved mood, opt for anchovies, Atlantic mackerel, trout, salmon and sardine. These fishes contain the most amounts of omega-3 acids with the lowest amounts of mercury, a toxic heavy metal that occurs in big fishes such as shark, swordfish as well tilefish. Omega-3 supplements, which should not replace the fish as the original source of nutrients, can be purchased at most health and vitamin stores.