Despondency, sadness, distress - almost no man, men, women, children, adolescents who have not experienced these feelings during life. However, not everyone who feels “depressed” for a short period of time or because of certain circumstances does indeed have a mood disorder - this is the medical name of the phenomenon, which is considered relatively common. Depression as a medical diagnosis is a mood that manifests over a period of at least two consecutive weeks and has many varied manifestations.
According to the data, most people with depression are treated with medication, conversations (psychotherapy) or their combination. However, in recent years there has been an understanding that the treatment of depression with dietary supplements may be effective and psychiatrists are opening the door to the use of nutritional supplements containing Omega 3 fatty acids.
“Omega 3 effective for treating depression”
In a published meta-analysis study, Dr. John Man, one of the world's leading psychiatrists in the field of depression, argues that taking omega-3s is effective in depression. Dr. Mann's study found that taking dietary supplements significantly reduced depressive symptoms in patients diagnosed with clinical depression (major). The article was published in the leading journal in the Psychiatry Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
A decision to conduct the study was made because previous studies in the field have identified low levels of omega 3 (EPA and DHA) in people with depression. As part of the study, Dr. Mann and his team realized that the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on depression was largely dependent on EPA's presence and that when the EPA fatty acid rate was very high, there was a clear reduction in depressive symptoms.
In a number of other studies, it has been found that a combination of omega-3s and antidepressants is more effective than separate treatment for each component. A study published in 2012 in a reputed medical pen found that only about 50-70% of those with depression who receive SSRIs (with which many drugs are listed ) respond to treatment. In the study, the researchers examined the efficacy of combined drug therapy with nutritional supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids compared to the medication taken with a dummy (placebo). The researchers concluded that the combination treatment with Omega 3 was more effective than drug therapy alone.
Recommendations for dealing with depression
Israeli psychiatrists recommend a number of actions that may improve depression measures and may even prevent it among those with a tendency to do so. And these are their recommendations:
- Taking Omega 3 - Studies indicate a link between Omega 3 fatty acid deficiency and an increase in the prevalence of depressive symptoms.
- Exercise - Clinical studies have identified exercise as an effective treatment for depression.
- Exposure to light - A lack of sunlight, especially in winter, is known to contribute to an increase in depressive symptoms, and exposure to a strong light is recognized as part of the treatment of depression.
- Sleep - Lack of sleep is a risk factor for increasing depression, so it is common practice to recommend eight hours of sleep a night.
- Social Relationships - Social support is protective against depression so it is important to encourage family and social relationships. It has also been shown that disturbing negative thoughts sometimes occur in situations of loneliness and inactivity.
