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Study Indicates Omega 3 Fatty Acids Influence Mood, Impulsivity And Personality
Most of us are fairly familiar with the health benefits of Omega-3... it helps prevent heart disease, it's great for lowering cholesterol and improving high blood pressure. It helps with arthritis and asthma as well. Recent research now suggests another benefit of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. It now appears that it may influence mood, personality and behavior. In a study conducted earlier this year was presented by University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers at the 64th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society in Denver.
Of 106 healthy volunteers, researchers found that participants who had lower blood levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were more likely to report mild or moderate symptoms of depression, a more negative outlook and be more impulsive. On the flip side of that coin, those with higher blood levels of omega-3s were found to be more agreeable.
Sarah Conklin, Ph.D., a postdoctoral scholar with the Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Program in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine had this to say: "A number of previous studies have linked low levels of omega-3 to clinically significant conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse and attention deficit disorder. 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."
For years now the American Hear Association has been recommending that all Americans consume fish twice per week... fish which is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Their recommendation is based upon evidence that a diet high in fish is associated with improved heart health and reduced risk for heart-related problems. But while the cardiovascular benefit of increasing omega-3 intake is well recognized and documented, relatively little is known of the potential mental health effects among the general public.
In the recent study, comparisons were made by analyzing levels of omega-3 fatty acids in participants' blood and comparing that data to the participants' scores on three accepted tests for depression, impulsiveness and personality. The amount of omega-3 circulating in blood reflects dietary intake of the fatty acid. The study did not require participants to make changes in their normal diet habits.
In a different clincial study, they examined the effects of Omega-3 levels and it's relationship to ADHD. Of nearly 100 boys, those with lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids demonstrated more learning and behavioral problems (such as temper tantrums and sleep disturbances) than boys with normal omega-3 fatty acid levels. In animal studies, low levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower the concentration of certain brain chemicals (such as dopamine and serotonin) related to attention and motivation. Clinical studies that examine the ability of omega-3 supplements to improve symptoms of ADHD are still needed. At this point in time, eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids is a reasonable approach for someone with ADHD. A clinical study used omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplementation in 117 children with ADHD. They study found significant improvements in reading, spelling, and behavior in the children over the 3 months of therapy. Another clinical study found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation helped to decrease physical aggression in school children with ADHD.
More research and studies should be undertaken with respect to these new findings. Considering the large sums of cash flowing into the mega drug companies from the sale of a plethora of anti-depressants, it will most likely be years before more is known.
