Here is a fascinating study from the Journal of Psychiatric Research. If your spouse or child is disagreeable, more fish or fish oil may increase the peace at home.
Serum omega-3 fatty acids are associated with variation in mood, personality and behavior in hypercholesterolemic community volunteers.Conklin,-S-M; Harris,-J-I; Manuck,-S-B; Yao,-J-K; Hibbeln,-J-R; Muldoon,-M-FPsychiatry-Res. 2007 Jul 30; 152(1): 1-10 Low dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has been linked to several features of psychiatric symptomatology, including depression, disorders of impulse control, and hostility. Preliminary intervention trials of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for clinical depression and other disorders have reported benefit. However, few studies have investigated the relationships between these fatty acids and normative variability in mood, behavior and personality. Participants were 105 hypercholesterolemic, but otherwise healthy, non-smoking adults. Fasting serum alpha-linolenic (alpha-LNA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were assayed with gas chromatography. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the NEO Five Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI) and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS). In multivariate analyses, higher levels of the long chain omega-3 PUFAs, EPA and DHA, were associated with significantly reduced odds of scoring >or=10 on the BDI. Similarly, DHA and EPA covaried inversely with NEO-Neuroticism scores, whereas DHA was positively associated with NEO-Agreeableness. On the BIS, DHA was inversely related to cognitive impulsivity and alpha-LNA was inversely related to motor and total impulsivity. These findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acid status is associated with variability in affect regulation, personality and impulse control.
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Thanks for this Dr Amen.
I’m convinced the future of depresion treatment lies with fish oil. As you probably know, Basant Puri argues that EPA is the key ingredient, and is better served alone than with DHA. But most manufacturers currently seem to think DHA is of some use too. I currently take Efalex, as it is less costly than VegEPA (which is also excellent).
What is “NEO-agreeableness”? Did I miss something?
Where does one find out the safe maximum dose for EPA and DHA for adults?
Had a colenoscpy.
GI said no fish oil.
How much can you tell me about Salmon oil?
Know it is a cold water fish.
What can you tell me?
My doctor advised that the Kirkland Fish Oil available at Costco is good – has the suggested %ages of EPA & DHA; 2 capsules a good for adults is safe.
My doctor recommended that I take 14 capsules of the average fish oil product (like Walmart brand) a day. I did this during two pregnancies and afterwards for years. I know that it helped me. I am sure that it helped my babies develop well. To minimize calorie intake I could take less of the OmegaBrite brand a day, because it is more concentrated. In looking at maximum dosing, don’t forget about other ingredients in capsules, such as Vitamin E.
Where does one find out the safe maximum dose for EPA and DHA for adults?
The book ” The Omega 3 Connection” by Dr. Stoll has some good information on specific doses.
neptune krill oil is very good, check it out
I endorsed a brand called HOLISTA — from Canada, brand new in the US. I checked out the ingredients thoroughly and was impressed with safety, quality, lack of contamination, and more. They have the only wild salmon oil fish oil that I believe delivers therapeutic levels of EPA an DHA. I’m a medical anthropologist and this is the first time I’ve recommended anything. Please excuse the commercial suggestion but I do believe it’s very helpful for behavioral, cardiac, immune support.
Watch out for the Costco fishoil because it has soybean oil in it and soybeans are NOT GOOD. I thought they were for a long time, but read up/google dangers of soy and see what I mean. I had to return my bottle to Costco.
What is the study looking for in using the 105 hypercholesterolemic volunteers? Is there a connection between elevated cholesterol and mood disorders?
Is there a safe fish oil for children?
“Where does one find out the safe maximum dose for EPA and DHA for adults?”
Omega 3’s thin the blood, so you may need blood monitoring if you are on any medication that might do that already.
The makers of VegEPA suggest that adults should take between 2 capsules (560mg EPA) a day for the healthy, but 1 g a day for those with clinical depression.
You can get an omega profile at Your Future Health lab which will tell you your level of omega3. The best source of high quality oils is found by checking IFOS.com
If you cannot tolerate fish oil for some reason, flax seeds or flax seed oil also supplies omega 3 fatty acids.
started taking fish oil regualrly, after i heard your special on PBS. i notice a difference in both the way i feel and general disposition. omega 3 fatty oils, might be the “sugar pill” for me…but it’s not hurting!
”
by sugar pill i meant placebo…
Nordic Fish oils and Carlson’s Fish Oils are two of the highest quality brands on the market. They also have a children’s formula. As far as the flaxseed oil is concerned, it is understood that men have a harder time breaking down flaxseed oil in their systems (please research for yourself), so a high quality fish oil is more beneficial for them. Also, the above mentioned brands do not have a fishy taste.
Studies show men convert ALA to EPA at only about 6% and ALA to DHA at only 0.1%.
http://www.healthy-oil-planet.com/flaxseed-oil-versus-fish-oil.html
Researchers believe estrogen in women are the cause for this increased ability to utilize flaxseed oil’s ALA more efficiently than men to meet the demands of DHA for the fetus during pregnancy and breast feeding.
I recently discovered that fish liver oil is good for it has vitamins A&D in addition to omega 3’s. These are two vitamins which most of do not get enough of… I recently ordered Carlson’s cod liver oil.
Thank you Dr. Amen for your determination, care and concern.
I take 1 teaspoon of Carlson’s each day and my fingernails are magnificent. All my life my nails have been soft and did not grow grow beyond my fingertips. Now finally at the age of 62 I have the most beautiful nails. This is a dream come true for me.
Does fish oil have any negative interaction with medication, including daily baby aspirin?
What is the safe maximum dose for EPA and DHA for adults? I have ADHD and take about 5000 mg.
Thank you,
Veronica Cobb
I just discovered:
Chia Seeds are high in Omega 3s; antioxidants; and calcium, potassium, iron and zinc. They are a better source than Flax seeds, and are great on salads, in smoothies, baked goods and anything else you want to put them in or on, or just as a crunchy snack. I buy GREENS+ brand from my local Co-op.
I love Dr. Amen’s site!
P.S. I take Carlson’s Fish Oil, too. Plus, occasional Udo’s Blend and Hemp Seed Oil (the latter does not the psychoactive chemical found in marijuana).
I use the website AmazonThunder.com. They seel acai berry capsules which have the highest % of omega 3’s in the world. They are really helpful.
I wonder if omega 3s would support blood flow in the brain. I also would like to know how long before I notice a positive change. My son is schizo-affective with a possible closed head injury and needs to supplement his diet.
I took the recommended 3 grams of fish oil a day and after about 5 days had problems sleeping. This happens to me with regular vitamins also. I am very sensitive to anything that affects the nervous system. Can’t take Benedryl because it keeps me awake. Weird…guess I am wired wrong. So what is someone like me supposed to do? Will taking minute amounts offer the same benefits as the prescribed dose?
Some interesting observations:
1. Omaga3 from marine sources are highly effective for treating neurological issues. However, Omega3 from terrestrial sources (Flax, for example) do not deal with brain related issues very well.
2. For theraputic benefits, one needs at least 1.5g of Fish Oil per day. This is a large quantity and hence you should be particularly careful about the purity of the product you take. Else, marine pollution trapped in fish tissues can get easily tranferred to yours!
3. Cod liver oil has Vitamin A, which in large quantities can become toxic. The quantity of Omega3 in cod liver oil is very small. If you are going to take Omega3 for theraputic purpose, you are not going to manage it with Cod (or shark) liver oil.
4. To Veronica Cobb: 5g/d of fish oil, it has been strongly argued, is very much safe. There are many cases where 9g/d dosage has been used without any side effects. However, it goes without saying, such high dosage must be done under medical supervision.
Thanks for the informative post.. and thanks for adding our comment to the blog. I searched for a while to find the right answer to my questions!
Regarding maximum dose, I found this:
Phase I Clinical Study of Fish Oil Fatty Acid Capsules for Patients with Cancer Cachexia: Cancer and Leukemia Group B Study 9473
http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/full/5/12/3942
from the Abstract:
“The maximum tolerated dose was found to be 0.3 g/kg per day of this preparation. This means that a 70-kg patient can generally tolerate up to 21 1-g capsules/day containing 13.1 g of eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid, the two major omega-3 fatty acids.”
I’m only quoting — I’m not recommending! Please read the complete Abstract for other interesting info.
Thanks for good commants… keep it up