Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have therapeutic effects in animals and humans. This effect is most pronounced where an omega-3 fatty acid deficiency exists. Omega-3 fatty acids have a number of effects on brain chemistry, but the exact mechanism by which omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to depressive disorders and anxiety disorders is not fully understood. Patients with depressive disorder have been shown to have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood compared to not depressed individuals. One explanation for this is that inflammation is a major cause of depression because it causes detrimental changes to brain chemistry including reductions in brain-derived neurotrophic factor. (BDNF). Omega-3 fatty acids may increase levels of BDNF and this may be one mechanism by which they have antidepressant effects. In order to provides benefits, omega-3 fatty acids must be balanced with omega-6 fatty acids in the diet. In fact, the ratio of the two may be more important than the actual total intakes of each fat.
A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, schizophrenia, hostility, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Ensuring an optimal intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may be protective of these diseases and disorders. The importance of omega-3 fatty acids in brain health are demonstrated by the fact that astrocyte cells in brain tissue continually secrete the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid in order to bath neuronmes. Fish and their oils provide a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
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