Mental Health and Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help prevent risk factors associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids even appear protective against advanced prostate cancer.

Now here’s evidence that Omega-3 may play a role in mental health.

Depression is widespread among elderly persons, affecting one in six patients treated in general medical practice and an even higher percentage of those in hospitals and nursing homes. Many medical problems common to older people may be related to, or intensified by, a depressive disorder. Recognition of the prevalence of depression among older people prompted the development of the geriatric depression scale by the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.

The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a 30-item self-report assessment designed specifically to identify depression in the elderly. The items may be answered yes or no, which is thought to be simpler than scales that use a five-category response set.

Using this scale Bountziouka et al explored the association between fish intake and depressive symptoms, in 1,190 men and women (>65 years) free living in various Greek islands and in Cyprus.

They found that participants reporting higher fish intake have less depressive symptoms.

Almost 70% of the participants scored above the depressive cutoff (i.e., GDS score > 5), with women having higher values. People classified under the 1st tertile of GDS score (i.e., GDS

Omega-3 supplementation promotes cardiovascular, brain, nerve, joint, skin and vision health and may help support a healthy brain

Bountziouka V, Polychronopoulos E, Zeimbekis A, Papavenetiou E, Ladoukaki E, Papairakleous N, Gotsis E, Metallinos G, Lionis C, Panagiotakos D. Long-term fish intake is associated with less severe depressive symptoms among elderly men and women: the MEDIS (MEDiterranean ISlands Elderly) epidemiological study. J Aging Health. 2009 Sep;21(6):864-80.

GoldLife's Bio-Omega Natural Fish Oil 1000mg is made in Australia. This and a selected range of Omega-3 are available at out pharmacies in Klang, Pandamaran and Port Klang. For your convenience, our pharmacists are always available for consultation.