Archive for Depression

Omega 3 supplementation: What doses work for depression?

Posted by: Dr Janelle Sinclair | Comments (1)

Friday, March 25th, 2011

Over the last couple of weeks we’ve been talking about how omega 3 supplements can help in the treatment of depression. Recent preliminary research shows that these supplements are as good as antidepressant medications and can work in as little as 2 weeks. They can be taken alongside antidepressant medications and there are no adverse side effects.

So let’s get to the chase.

You’re wanting to know what doses to take aren’t you? Well here it is. I’ve based these recommendations on the latest research.

Adult Omega 3 Dosage Recommendations for depression:

1000-2000mg EPA daily AND
500-1500mg DHA daily

Don’t do it wrong!

There’s some things that you should note about taking omega 3 for depression.

1) The fish oil needs to be high quality. Don’t just find one in the bargain bin; you’ll want to check that they have been tested for heavy metals & pesticides (and that they don’t have any in them!)

2) You’ll want to buy concentrated fish oil. Most standard fish oil capsules have about 100-200 mg of EPA in them. This means that you’ll have to take 10 capsules PER DAY to get the right dose. You may want to consider getting high quality, highly concentrated liquid fish oil. It means you’ll only have to take 1 teaspoon per day. Now that’s much easier than taking 10 capsules!

3) Some people think that the DHA component of fish oil (It’s a specific form of omega 3) would be most helpful for depression. DHA is found in higher concentrations in the brain in comparison to EPA. But the research says at the moment that it is the EPA form of omega 3 that is most useful for depression. DHA on its own doesn’t help. So when you do buy and take your fish oil omega 3, make sure it has MORE EPA in it than DHA (in a similar ratio to my dosage suggestions above).

Many people ask me what’s a good brand of fish oil? What can we trust?

To make it easy for you today, I’ve provided a link to a product that I like below.

Talk to you again soon.

All the best

Janelle

Dr Janelle Sinclair

Clinical Biochemist

Categories : Depression

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More research hot off the press: Menopause, depression & omega 3 supplementation

Posted by: Dr Janelle Sinclair | Comments (0)

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

As a researcher I like to keep up with all of the latest studies of nutritional medicine in mental health, and this weeks not an exception.

What’s this study show?

You’ll find below a study which shows that in menopause women, omega 3 can help up to 70% of those with depression. This can happen in as little as 8 weeks! It’s quite astounding. Check it out below.

How can you get some omega 3 supplementation (at the right dose)?

I’ll have a blog post soon that will tell you the right doses of omega 3 for depression and what brand I use with patients that you can get for yourself. My book also provides you with the information you need, and you can get it here.

Omega 3 supplementation can help you break free from depression. It’s not the only natural supplement that can help- if you want to find out about other alternatives download my free report by visiting www.breakingfreefromdepression.com/free-report.

All the best. Talk to you again soon.

Janelle

Dr Janelle Sinclair

Omega-3 fatty acids for major depressive disorder associated with the menopausal transition: a preliminary open trial.

Menopause. 2011 Mar;18(3):279-84.

Freeman MP, Hibbeln JR, Silver M, Hirschberg AM, Wang B, Yule AM, Petrillo LF, Pascuillo E, Economou NI, Joffe H, Cohen LS.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: : We sought to obtain preliminary data regarding the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids for major depressive disorder associated with the menopausal transition. Secondary outcomes were assessed for vasomotor symptoms (or hot flashes).

METHODS: : After a single-blind placebo lead-in, participants received 8 weeks of treatment with open-label omega-3 fatty acid capsules (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, 2 g/d). The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was the primary outcome measure. Hot flashes were monitored prospectively using daily diaries and the Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale. Blood samples for plasma pretreatment and posttreatment essential fatty acid assays were obtained. Because of the small sample size, data were analyzed using nonparametric techniques.

RESULTS: : Of 20 participants treated with omega-3 fatty acids, 19 (95%) completed the study. None discontinued because of adverse effects. The pretreatment and final mean MADRS scores were 24.2 and 10.7, respectively, reflecting a significant decrease in MADRS scores (P < 0.0001). The response rate was 70% (MADRS score decrease of ?50%), and the remission rate was 45% (final MADRS score of ?7). Responders had significantly lower pretreatment docosahexaenoic acid levels than nonresponders did (P = 0.03). Hot flashes were present in 15 (75%) participants. Among those with hot flashes at baseline, the number of hot flashes per day improved significantly from baseline (P = 0.02) and Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale scores decreased significantly (P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS: : These data support further study of omega-3 fatty acids for major depressive disorder and hot flashes in women during the menopausal transition.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21037490

Categories : Biochemical Causes of Depression, Nutrient Deficiencies

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Recent research: Omega 3 as good as anti-depressant drugs

Posted by: Dr Janelle Sinclair | Comments (0)

Saturday, March 5th, 2011

Hi there.

As promised I’m reviewing some of the latest research on omega 3 deficiency and mental health.

Check out the Research

Check out this research, it shows that a special form of omega 3 is just as good as the medication fluoxetine. It shows that 50% of those with depression respond to omega 3, and that omega 3 improves anti-depressant drugs too.

It is only a small study, but because omega 3 is natural, a part of a good normal diet, and has no side-effects- I think all people that suffer from depression should at least try this supplement (at the right doses).

In a few blog posts time, I’ll provide you with the right doses for omega 3 in depression. Alternatively you can find out about more about omega 3, it’s symptoms, the research in depression, and what forms and doses to take of omega 3 in my new book. Check it out here.

Comparison of therapeutic effects of omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid and fluoxetine, separately and in combination, in major depressive disorder.

Jazayeri S et al.

Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2008 Mar;42(3):192-8.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), fluoxetine and a combination of them in major depression.

METHOD: Sixty outpatients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder based on DSM-IV criteria and a score >or=15 in the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were randomly allocated to receive daily either 1000 mg EPA or 20 mg fluoxetine, or their combination for 8 weeks. Double dummy technique was used to double blind the study. Patients were assessed at 2 week intervals. Change in HDRS was the primary outcome measure.

RESULTS: Analysis of covariance for HDRS at week 8 across treatment groups was performed in 48 patients who completed at least 4 weeks of the study, with the last observation carried forward. Treatment, age of onset and baseline HDRS had a significant effect on HDRS at week 8. EPA + fluoxetine combination was significantly better than fluoxetine or EPA alone from the fourth week of treatment. Fluoxetine and EPA appear to be equally effective in controlling depressive symptoms. Response rates (>or=50% decrease in baseline HDRS) were 50%, 56% and 81% in the fluoxetine, EPA and combination groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: In the present 8 week trial EPA and fluoxetine had equal therapeutic effects in major depressive disorder. EPA + fluoxetine combination was superior to either of them alone.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=18247193

Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2008 Mar;42(3):192-8.

Comparison of therapeutic effects of omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid and fluoxetine, separately and in combination, in major depressive disorder.

Jazayeri S, Tehrani-Doost M, Keshavarz SA, Hosseini M, Djazayery A, Amini H, Jalali M, Peet M.

Department of Nutrition and Biochemistry, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), fluoxetine and a combination of them in major depression.

CONCLUSIONS: In the present 8 week trial EPA and fluoxetine had equal therapeutic effects in major depressive disorder. EPA + fluoxetine combination was superior to either of them alone.

Categories : Depression

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Break free from depression- using Omega 3 fish oil supplements

Posted by: Dr Janelle Sinclair | Comments (0)

Monday, February 28th, 2011

How Can Fats be Good?
Fats have recently got a bad rap. But the truth is that some fats are actually needed for good health and good mood. That’s the case for omega fatty acids. So let’s take a look at them now.

Omega Fatty Acids
Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids cannot be made or stored in the body, and are therefore described as essential fatty acids (EFAs.) That is it is essential that we supply these valuable nutrients to the body through our diet, otherwise the body will go without.

2 Main Functions of Omega Fatty Acids:

To serve as a building block (a structural molecule) for the outside membrane of all cells including the nerve cells in the brain.
To produce chemicals which regulate the immune system and inflammatory processes.

It probably comes as no surprise that imbalances of these fatty acids can lead to neurological, immune, and inflammatory conditions.

Omega 3 & 6 Deficiencies and Mental Health

Omega 3 and/or 6 deficiencies are related not only to depression, but other mental health illnesses such as autism, Alzheimer’s disease, conduct disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, ADHD, as well as postnatal depression.

It’s been shown that omega 3 supplementation (and sometimes omega 6) can help in the treatment of depression, including bipolar depression.

What Next?

Over the next couple of weeks I’ll review a few studies on omega 3 supplementation and mental health. Then we’ll discuss optimal doses of omega 3 supplementation in depression in both adults and children. If you’d rather get started on omega 3 supplementation right away, click on the following link, download a copy of my book and break free from depression.

But What There’s More…

Omega 3 deficiencies are only one cause of depression. To help you find out about the other physical causes of depression I’ve written a report that discusses which ones may be the root cause of your depression. You can get a copy of it here.

That’s it for today, but I’ll be back with further helpful and life changing information soon.

All the best

Janelle
Dr Janelle Sinclair

Categories : Biochemical Causes of Depression, Depression, Nutrient Deficiencies

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More Evidence Showing Zinc deficiency is Involved in Depression

Posted by: Dr Janelle Sinclair | Comments (0)

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Hi there,

Hopefully you all know by now, that there are many different physical causes of depression- including hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, adverse reactions to food as well as toxins. If not- make sure you get a hold of my free report on the topic.

I must admit that not all of what I teach is accepted by the mainstream medical model. But I personally think that often they haven’t taken the time to read the research that is coming out.

More and More Evidence
Well today I want to show you that there’s more and more evidence coming out all the time to support the physical causes in depression.

Let’s look at a study from the Journal of Renal Nutrition.

One thing you may not be aware of is that a lot of patients that undergo dialysis (because of kidney failure) suffer from depression. One of the causes for this is that during the dialysis process many of the essential minerals get stripped out of there bodies- they end up with nutrient deficiencies.

The study below confirms again the key role of zinc for good mental health, and that a zinc deficiency can cause depression.

The Study
Association of Zinc Deficiency and Depression in the Patients With End-stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis. Roozbeh J et al. J Ren Nutr. 2010 Nov 17.

INTRODUCTION: Depression is a common psychological symptom in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. In the general population, low serum zinc level is associated with major depression. The current study surveys the possible relationship between the prevalence of depression and plasma level of zinc in patients on hemodialysis (HD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 135 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on HD were enrolled in the study. The severity of depression was assessed using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Plasma zinc level was measured from fasting samples.

RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 52.45 (standard deviation: 15.33) years. In all, 76% of the patients had some degree of depression according to BDI scoring system (BDI >14). The mean level of plasma zinc in the depressed patients was significantly lower than the rest of the patients (67.46 ± 29.7 vs. 85.26 + 40.05).

DISCUSSION: Zinc deficiency may be a reversible cause which might contribute to the increased rate of depression in HD patients. This is the first study reporting the association of zinc deficiency with the presence of depression in HD patients; therefore, these findings need further investigations.
Copyright © 2010 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PMID: 21093288 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21093288

Dialysis isn’t the only cause for a zinc deficiency, and neither is a poor diet. My book outlines one of the major causes for a zinc deficiency in depression that often runs in families. If you’re wondering what doses of zinc you should take and how to monitor your levels of zinc- know that the book that I’ve written on the biochemical causes of depression covers all those details. If you want to know more about this book click here.

Categories : Biochemical Causes of Depression, Depression, Nutrient Deficiencies

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