Omega 3 and depression

lonely-and-sad · 06:24 AM

I have been taking omega 3 supplements for about 10 years. I was even advised to do so by the Black Dog Institute. I take it because I believe they have health benefits, but I have never been convinced that it has anything to do with my mood. Although I know my personal experience does not trump solid evidence it seems that personal experience is all I am left with; I can't find anything compelling in the scientific literature. And then yesterday I read this:

Omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of depression: systematic review and meta-analysis. - PubMed - NCBI

For those that can't be bothered looking the last two sentences are: "Current published trials suggest a small, non-significant benefit of omega-3 FAs for major depression. Nearly all of the treatment efficacy observed in the published literature may be attributable to publication bias."

When I started taking omega 3 I felt a reduction in inflammation in my body I actually physically noticed it. Is there anyone else here taking omega 3? Does anyone disagree with the systematic review and meta analysis I just posted?

Edit: just realized more like 12 years that I have been taking omega 3.

lavendersage · Sep 10, 2015, 06:10 AM

I didn't read the article (it's 6am: still way too early for my brain to process a medical study) but since beginning omega 3 I feel it's helped improve inflammation issues in my body as well as contributed in large part to curing my chronic, severe dry eyes.

lonely-and-sad · Sep 10, 2015, 07:42 AM

On the otherhand:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4013121/

It seems difficult to get a clear picture of omega 3

Sep 10, 2015, 07:47 AM

That's often the case, isn't it? If you feel like it helps your inflammation, I'd definitely keep on taking it. Long-term depression is a risk factor for so many other illnesses, especially cardiac ones and autoimmune ones.

Sep 10, 2015, 07:50 AM

Do you live in the US? (If you don't mind my asking.) If you do, is there a particular brand of omega-3 that you recommend?

I keep meaning to start taking it, but it's difficult cost-wise for me. I don't trust cheap brands of supplements, though.

I have severe dry eye problems, too. If it would help that, I will definitely start taking it. I read recently that low levels of vitamin D (which I have) are also associated with chronic dry eyes.

lonely-and-sad · Sep 10, 2015, 07:55 AM

I live in Australia but Nordic Naturals is regarded as the best ... well, you know, sorta ... lol ... although it just about breaks the bank!

Edit: The Black Dog Institute recommends 1000mg a day. Some of the dosages thrown around are not beneficial. At one point in the very early days I tried mega dosing it with around 5000mg a day and I found my skin became a little bit easier to cut and the bleeding would take extra long to clot.

Its just my opinion but you might find even a single capsule a day would help. I just looked at the cost around $35 for 180 caps. You should be able to afford one a day shouldn't you? The Nordic Naturals are extra strong as well from memory 400/200 compared to the el cheapo brands which are generally 180/120.

francisR · Sep 10, 2015, 09:13 AM

Hi Lonely

I agree that taking this omega-3 will be helpful for depression. But to make a real impact meds must be taken also the appropriate therapy tools used to bring the condition under control. I took it years ago and it did not have a significant effect on my dysthymia and general anxiety. But everybody's body chemistry is different. And hopefully it will do a good job for you. Take care. I hope and pray today will be good for you. God bless and best wishes from your friend Francis

lonely-and-sad · Sep 10, 2015, 09:27 AM

I might add here that dry mouth and dry eyes are side effects from the Notryptline that is presribed to me for dysthymia and double depression. The strangest thing since it was mentioned here I do believe that side effect (dry eyes and mouth) is worse when I miss my dosage of fish oil. Only just realized that ...

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Sep 10, 2015, 12:32 PM

Thanks for that info. Yes, I could probably afford that.

lonely-and-sad · Sep 10, 2015, 01:16 PM

Fish oil is best taken with other foods containing fats

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lavendersage · Sep 10, 2015, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jo_thorne

Do you live in the US? (If you don't mind my asking.) If you do, is there a particular brand of omega-3 that you recommend?

I keep meaning to start taking it, but it's difficult cost-wise for me. I don't trust cheap brands of supplements, though.

I have severe dry eye problems, too. If it would help that, I will definitely start taking it. I read recently that low levels of vitamin D (which I have) are also associated with chronic dry eyes.

I'm a research junkie - I think you are, too, right? Or maybe that's kanasi....Anyway, rest assured when I tell you that I've done my homework that I HAVE (putting hyperfocus of ADD to good work LOL). The following are the best on the market: Nordic Naturals. For numerous reasons that my ADD brain can't recall right now (that's the flip-side of being able to hyper-focus: you can't remember a damn thing), these are the ones. They are more expensive than, say, Kirkland brand (Costco) but when I finally decided to start taking them, I knew I wanted to take only the best quality.

I get them on subscription on Amazon.com so I never run out anymore. Before I did that, I would (I'd forget to buy them before they ran out) and I am telling you - within 3 days of not taking it my eyes were NOT happy with me. In fact, my eye doctor declared last time I was in that I don't qualify for having severe, chronic dry eye anymore (insert happy dance). And you're talking to someone that used to walk around with VERY red, burning, burning eyes. I used to have to use Restasis!

lavendersage · Sep 10, 2015, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonely-and-sad

I live in Australia but Nordic Naturals is regarded as the best ... well, you know, sorta ... lol ... although it just about breaks the bank!

Edit: The Black Dog Institute recommends 1000mg a day. Some of the dosages thrown around are not beneficial. At one point in the very early days I tried mega dosing it with around 5000mg a day and I found my skin became a little bit easier to cut and the bleeding would take extra long to clot.

Its just my opinion but you might find even a single capsule a day would help. I just looked at the cost around $35 for 180 caps. You should be able to afford one a day shouldn't you? The Nordic Naturals are extra strong as well from memory 400/200 compared to the el cheapo brands which are generally 180/120.

It's all about the actual EPA to DHA ratio in the capsules moreso than the overall milligram amount. I remember that much...murky like...but that sticks out as something big-time important I learned when I was reading about omega 3 supplementation.

Sep 10, 2015, 05:53 PM

Yes, I do tend to look up things. The internet has been such a gift. I only occasionally miss sitting at a table full of large reference books. (I'm old enough to remember doing that.)

I am definitely going to figure out a way to fit this into my budget. I don't know what part of my dry eye problem comes from my antidepressant and what part comes from having autoimmune arthritis. It sounds like the omega-3 should fix all of it.

I was just prescribed Restasis a couple of months ago but I haven't been using it regularly. I don't know if I am imagining it, but it seems to make my eyes hurt worse. All day, not just right after I take it.

It's humid where I live right now, but it won't be too long until the dry winter when I usually barely manage not to get an eye infection.

Thanks!

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