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Depression and Omega-3's
New research shows that people can become depressed as a result of illness and inflammation. This might be one of the reasons that fish oil (omega-3's) help treat depression.
Beginning Noozer
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New research suggests that illness and inflammation can cause depression. When you're sick with the flu, all you want is to stay in bed and be left alone. Depression can be a milder form of the same response.
A recent Science News feature article, Sick and Down, talks about this. They write that "...the connection between the body's immune response and depression has only gained firm support in the last five years.".
One of the ways the immune system responds to infection or stress is to increase the levels of signalling proteins called cytokines. The brain is sensitive to the levels of circulating immune cytokines, and can respond with reduced appetite, less energy, and reduced social activity: "just leave me alone".
This suggests that one of the ways that fish oil and other omega-3's fight depression is because they reduce the levels of inflammation and calm down the immune system, reducing circulating levels of immune-system cytokines, helping to reduce or eliminate depression.
It also suggests that other regimens that reduce inflamation should help reduce depression. Chief among these is to reduce processed carbohydrates (e.g. less sugar and flour), which has also been shown to reduce inflammation.
A recent Science News feature article, Sick and Down, talks about this. They write that "...the connection between the body's immune response and depression has only gained firm support in the last five years.".
One of the ways the immune system responds to infection or stress is to increase the levels of signalling proteins called cytokines. The brain is sensitive to the levels of circulating immune cytokines, and can respond with reduced appetite, less energy, and reduced social activity: "just leave me alone".
This suggests that one of the ways that fish oil and other omega-3's fight depression is because they reduce the levels of inflammation and calm down the immune system, reducing circulating levels of immune-system cytokines, helping to reduce or eliminate depression.
It also suggests that other regimens that reduce inflamation should help reduce depression. Chief among these is to reduce processed carbohydrates (e.g. less sugar and flour), which has also been shown to reduce inflammation.
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