How Fish Oil Supplements Prevent Post-Partum Depression
Everyone knows that fish oil is good for the brain.
But when you get into exactly how and why, the details get a little fuzzy.
Here is one case the benefits of fish oil are very clear: preventing post-partum depression.
First, a little background.
Fish oil contains two important omega-3 fatty acids: DHA and EPA.
Of those two, we will focus on DHA.
Scientists have shown that DHA is an important component of the brain.
In fact, estimates indicate that DHA makes up nearly 20% of dry mass of the brain.
In addition to providing an essential component of the structure of the brain, DHA also performs a number of critical brain-signaling functions.
Now, what about pregnancy? During the third trimester, infants are making their little brains and nervous systems.
Where are they getting their DHA? You guessed it.
They are literally sucking the DHA right out of mothers (1).
Isn't it interesting then, that fatty acid levels can take over a year to recover in recent mothers? Especially so when you consider that 1 year is about the same time-course as post-partum depression.
From the third trimester to end of breast-feeding, the mother is experiencing a huge nutritional demand for the omega-3 fatty acid DHA.
As a result, her own nervous system is becoming DHA-deficient in order to provide for the baby.
Many studies have shown a correlation between omega-3 deficiencies and the symptoms of depression.
One of the better among these is an Australian study showing that the symptoms of depression correlated with the ratios of various omega-3 fatty acids in the blood (2).
Scientists have only begun to examine the relationship between fatty acid status and post-partum depression.
A number of studies are out in the literature, but one of the better-controlled among them found a significant correlation between slower DHA recovery and postpartum depression (3).
Fortunately, this problem is easily addressed with better supplementation.
During pregnancy, choose a high-DHA supplement.
The best choice is vegetarian DHA.
Because this product is not derived from fish, there is no risk of additional mercury exposure from this supplement.
References 1.
Hornstra, G.
"Essential fatty acids in mothers and their neonates.
" Am J Clin Nutr.
71 1262S-9S.
2.
Adams, PB, Lawson, S, Sanigorski, A, Sinclair, AJ.
"Arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid ratio in blood correlates positively with clinical symptoms of depression.
" Lipids.
31 (1996) S157-61.
3.
Otto, SJ, de Groot, RHM, Hornstra, G.
"Increased risk of postpartum depressive symptoms is associated with slower normalization after pregnancy of the functional docosahexaenoic acid status.
" Prost Leuk Ess Fatty Acids.
69 (2003) 237-43.
But when you get into exactly how and why, the details get a little fuzzy.
Here is one case the benefits of fish oil are very clear: preventing post-partum depression.
First, a little background.
Fish oil contains two important omega-3 fatty acids: DHA and EPA.
Of those two, we will focus on DHA.
Scientists have shown that DHA is an important component of the brain.
In fact, estimates indicate that DHA makes up nearly 20% of dry mass of the brain.
In addition to providing an essential component of the structure of the brain, DHA also performs a number of critical brain-signaling functions.
Now, what about pregnancy? During the third trimester, infants are making their little brains and nervous systems.
Where are they getting their DHA? You guessed it.
They are literally sucking the DHA right out of mothers (1).
Isn't it interesting then, that fatty acid levels can take over a year to recover in recent mothers? Especially so when you consider that 1 year is about the same time-course as post-partum depression.
From the third trimester to end of breast-feeding, the mother is experiencing a huge nutritional demand for the omega-3 fatty acid DHA.
As a result, her own nervous system is becoming DHA-deficient in order to provide for the baby.
Many studies have shown a correlation between omega-3 deficiencies and the symptoms of depression.
One of the better among these is an Australian study showing that the symptoms of depression correlated with the ratios of various omega-3 fatty acids in the blood (2).
Scientists have only begun to examine the relationship between fatty acid status and post-partum depression.
A number of studies are out in the literature, but one of the better-controlled among them found a significant correlation between slower DHA recovery and postpartum depression (3).
Fortunately, this problem is easily addressed with better supplementation.
During pregnancy, choose a high-DHA supplement.
The best choice is vegetarian DHA.
Because this product is not derived from fish, there is no risk of additional mercury exposure from this supplement.
References 1.
Hornstra, G.
"Essential fatty acids in mothers and their neonates.
" Am J Clin Nutr.
71 1262S-9S.
2.
Adams, PB, Lawson, S, Sanigorski, A, Sinclair, AJ.
"Arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid ratio in blood correlates positively with clinical symptoms of depression.
" Lipids.
31 (1996) S157-61.
3.
Otto, SJ, de Groot, RHM, Hornstra, G.
"Increased risk of postpartum depressive symptoms is associated with slower normalization after pregnancy of the functional docosahexaenoic acid status.
" Prost Leuk Ess Fatty Acids.
69 (2003) 237-43.
Source...