OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS EASE MENOPAUSE DEPRESSION

Omega-3 fatty acids ease psychological distress and depressive symptoms often suffered by menopausal and perimenopausal women, according to researchers at Université Laval's Faculty of Medicine.

This is the first evidence that omega-3 supplements are effective for treating common menopause-related mental health problems.

120 women age 40 to 55 were divided into two groups. Women in the first group took three gel capsules containing a total of one gram of EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid of marine origin, every day for eight weeks. Those in the second group followed the same protocol, but took gel capsules containing sunflower oil without EPA.

Test results before and after the eight-week period indicate that omega-3s significantly improved the condition of women suffering symptoms of psychological distress and mild depression. "The differences we observed between the two groups are noteworthy, especially considering that omega-3s have very few side effects and are beneficial to cardiovascular health." However, no positive effect was observed among a small group of women with more severe depressive symptoms.

Women with hot flashes also noted that their condition improved after consuming omega-3s. At baseline, the number of daily hot flashes was 2.8 and dropped by an average of 1.6 in the group taking omega-3s and by 0.5 in the control group. The change that can be attributed to the use of omega-3s, i.e. a decrease of 1.1 hot flashes per day, is equivalent to results obtained with hormone therapy and antidepressants.

Many women suffer from depressive symptoms during menopause and perimenopause. Some take antidepressants for relief even though their effectiveness is controversial. Mistrust of hormone therapy and antidepressants leads certain women to turn to alternative methods despite little scientific evidence of effectiveness. This type of research will help to guide women on their therapeutic choices.

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Super Healthy Tip…

There are some dietary supplements which just seem to be good for lots of things: Omega-3 oils is one of these. Based on the evidence that is consistently surfacing, fish oils are good for your immune system, your nervous system, your hormonal system and your musculoskeletal system – that’s most of the body!