Salmon and other oily fish reduces the risk of depression
Research presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Association shows that fish oil reduces the risk of depression and improves mood and overall feelings of well-being. The study of 106 adults without mood disorders found that those who had high blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids were 53 percent less likely to report mild to moderate symptoms of depression than those with lower levels.
Two types of omega-3s are found in fatty fish like salmon: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Previous research has shown that people suffering from depression have lower-than-normal levels of EPA, which plays an important role in regulating brain function.
“Fatty acids are concentrated in the human brain and are required for normal functioning,” says study author Sarah Conklin, Ph.D., a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “They alter the expression of many genes, including several that are important for learning.”
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