A very easy thing to do
July 19th, 2007Let’s face it, when you’re depressed everything seems like a chore. Even getting out of bed is hard some days so what can you do that’s easy? The answer is start taking a good multi-vitamin and Omega-3 Fish Oil.
Omega-3 fatty acid is in a lot of foods (primarily fish but also free range chicken, beef, eggs & plants) and your body uses it in building & maintaining efficient brain functioning that help to prevent depression. It also helps your cardiovascular system.
You can think of it as the oil that lubricates the machinery of your brain. It allows the circuitry to work more efficiently which is what prescription drugs for depression do. Now if you’re on a prescription for depression - don’t stop taking it just because you’ve started taking fish oil. Talk to your doctor first before you stop taking anything.
A brief opinion of mine concerning prescription drugs. I recommend seeing a psychiatrist opposed to a general practitioner, internist, etc. as they specialize in the treatment of depression and other mental diseases (read dis - ease, i.e. ‘not at ease’!). Nothing against other doctors it’s just my experience has shown me that psychiatrist know more about depression and its treatment. Makes sense, no?
The three types of Omega-3 fatty acid and what they help -
- EPA - neuron connectivity (this is the main one we’re concerned with)
- DHA - brain structure/growth
- ALA - heart & circulatory system
When you buy your fish oil look for one that has at least 1 gram of fatty acid. The more EPA the better (2:1 ratio of EPA to DHA).
I take 6, 1200 mg. enteric coated Omega-3 fish oil per day. Enteric coating prevents burping up an unpleasant fish taste but you can also buy uncoated capsules and freeze them to prevent burping.
Each 2 capsules contains:
- Total O-3 fatty acids - 720 mg
- EPA - 432 mg
- DHA 288 mg
August 23rd, 2007 at 4:23 pm
I just stumbled across your blog and am glad I did. I suffer from depression and tho I feel much better than I have in a long time, my psychiatrist and I are starting to ween me off my medication (Efferxer). We both feel this is a good thing to do and while I am ramping down off the meds I still feel like keeping on top of this. I am interested in taking the Omega-3 fish oil and I also need to start taking a multi-vitamin also. I want to take this not only for the depression issues but I work out regularly and feel the need is good for that also. My question is what is a good brand to take for Omega Fish Oil and a good multi-vitamin? There is so much info out there I have no clue on what is good or not! Also the is book by ALbert Ellis interests me as this speaks to me like you wouldn’t believe!! A Guide to Rational Living is it that good and worthwhile? and does this guide just explain the therapy or offer a way to do the therapy yourself? Anyway hope to hear back from you and good job with the blog! I’ll be reading
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Keith,
Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you want to stay on top of your depression. It’s so easy to let things slide when you start to feel better and before you know it you’re back to square one - so stay on top of it!
I take Spring Valley Enteric Coated Omega 3 Fish Oil 1200 mg. capsules that I get from Wall Mart. They have 432 mg of EPA and 288 mg of DHA per 2 capsules, so I take 6 a day. I take them all at once in the morning with the rest of my vitamins.
The TLC program gave two recommendations if you want to buy online. OmegaRx from http://www.ordernatural.com and OmegaBrite from http://www.omegabrite.com.
Walgreen’s, Osco or any other drug store should have fish oil. You can also go to GNC or your local health food store.
For a multivitamin I’d just take a one-a-day type of a brand you like. You might also consider some vitamin E too as it helps you body digest the Omega-3. B vitamins (primarily B6 and B12) also have some of the same depression fighting properties as Omega-3 fatty acids.
Good luck to you and stick with it - especially when you feel better!
July 24th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
I’ve been on 5htp now for some time, and am weaning myself off now. I found it was nearly impossible and I was slipping back to irritability, until I started taking some b-vitamins and fish oil again. Wow, what a difference! Sometimes I think we forget the simple things, because they’re so simple!
July 24th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Laurel,
Did the 5HTP help you at all? I’ve been thinking about starting that and Gaba. My doctor recommended the Gaba but said there is some question as to whether or not it can cross the blood/brain barrier.
~ Cosmo