We know it is good for the heart. We hear it is good for the brain. We have been told it is good for women.
The February 2008 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported the outcome of a Canadian clinical trial which found a beneficial effect for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) -- a key component of fish oil -- on middle-aged women suffering from psychological distress.
EPA is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid that occurs in fish oil, which, along with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has been linked with numerous health benefits.
The Study
Dr Michel Lucas and his associates at Laval University in Quebec did a study on 120 women, between 40 and 55 years old, with moderate to severe psychological distress which sometimes occurs during early menopause. Some received 1.05g ethyl-EPA plus 0.15g ethyl-DHA in divided doses, while others received a placebo daily for eight weeks.
A psychological general well-being schedule and a depression scale symptom checklist was done at the start of the study, and at the end of four and eight weeks.
Twenty-four percent of the participants were found to be undergoing depression. Psychological distress symptoms among those who received EPA improved significantly after eight weeks compared to subjects who received the placebo.
Women who received the placebo were likelier to drop out of the study compared with those who received EPA. The researchers noted that the lack of improvement in the placebo group could have increased this likeliness. The researchers noted that polyunsaturated fatty acids were needed by brain cell membranes and that a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids could impact the transmission of serotonin, a neurohormone which controls mood. EPA and DHA have anti-inflammatory and other effects on brain biochemistry, including an ability to alter the expression of enzymes. The Effects on Depression"To our knowledge, the current trial was the first to compare the effects of ethyl-EPA omega-3 supplementation with placebo on psychological distress and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women," the researchers write. "Because EPA and DHA supplements have beneficial outcomes on cardiovascular disease, have no serious side effects and might be helpful in reducing hot flashes, research should be encouraged on middle-aged women with psychological distress and depressive symptoms." Indeed, the only concern with fish oil supplement is that they may contain toxins from oceans which are increasingly being polluted. The fish feed off the ocean food chain and take in toxins. The soluble ones tend to be stored in the fish's body and liver. Regulatory authorities are increasingly expressing concern over these ocean toxins. Recently, new processes were introduced to remove these toxins without harming the sensitive component of fish oil -- the omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA. These processes are similar to molecular distillation and the more advanced ones are similar to omatech. Datuk Dr Rajen M. is a pharmacist with a doctorate in holistic medicine. Email him at health@po.jaring.my
