Eating Fish May Help Depression, Inflammatory Diseases

A U.S. study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found that a high ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids was associated with depression and inflammation.

Researchers at Ohio State University in Columbus studied a group of 43 middle-aged to elderly men and women, nearly half of whom were caregivers of people with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. They found that those with more omega-6's relative to omega-3's reported more symptoms of depression and had higher levels of inflammation.

According to Dr. Floyd H. Chilton, author of the book Inflammation Nation, the typical American diet, which is too high in omega-6's and relatively low in omega-3's, leads to chronic low-level inflammation and disease. Inflammation is thought to possibly be associated with several diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome and Alzheimer's disease.

"This study has shown even in people who did not take supplements, maybe just a little bit more omega-3 could help reduce their markers for both stress and depression," study co-author Martha Belury, an associate professor at the university, said in a statement published on the Ohio State University Web site.

Belury said that cold-water fish, such as salmon or trout, are the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Current recommendations allow up to two servings each week of cold-water fish, although this would not apply to pregnant women, she said, because there are concerns about the levels of heavy metal contamination. Omega-3 can also be obtained in nutritional supplements.