Is that possible that your next meal will alleviate your depression? Maybe, on condition that the menu contains fatty fish such as salmon or herring fish, walnuts, sugar beets, or beet molasses.
In the February 15 issue of Biological Psychiatry scientists report that those foods contain certain substances that revealed an antidepressant effect in tests carried out on rats.
The above mentioned substances are omega-3 fatty acids and uridine. Abundant omega-3 fatty acids can be found in some kinds of fish - particularly in fatty fish such as salmon and herring - as well as walnuts and flaxseed. Uridine is present in sugar beets and molasses made from those beets. Investigators claim that uridine hasn’t been clinically tested on people with mood disorders so far.
Omega-3 fatty acids taken from fish have drawn plenty of attention over the past years. They have been researched for benefits against heart disease, stroke, sudden death and arthritis, as well as depression. Research has discovered that societies that eat lots of fish have lower depression rates, probably thanks to omega-3 fatty acids.
However, in the United States, where fish isn’t a dietary staple, depression is very common. According to the National Institute of Mental Health almost nineteen million people annually experience depression in the United States alone.
Tests on Rats
The latest research was conducted by William Carlezon Jr., PhD, and his colleagues from McLean Hospital’s psychiatry department. The Massachusetts hospital is associated with Harvard Medical School.
People were not involved in this experiment. Instead, dietary omega-3 fatty acids and uridine injections were tested by the scientists on rats.
In order to induce a depression-like state, the rats had to take a forced swim test that thwarted them at every turn. The rats became helpless very quickly, due to the fact that they couldn’t escape, no matter how hard they tried. The scientists tried three different approaches. First of all, uridine was injected the rats. Later, the rats were fed with a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids. And finally, the scientists tried combining lower doses of both uridine and omega-3 fatty acids.
Depression Relief Reported
All of the approaches worked. Uridine and omega-3 fatty acids both had antidepressant-like effects, explain the scientists. The rats ceased acting helpless and tried their best, even though the test was still stacked against them.
The uridine injections worked immediately, but the omega-3 fatty acids needed thirty days to act. That’s about as long as it takes for humans to get relief from depression after taking various antidepressant medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), claim the scientists. SSRIs include Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft.
Combining lower doses of uridine and omega-3 fatty acids was even more helpful. "Less of each agent is necessary for effectiveness when the treatments are administered together," explain the scientists.
For comparison, the researchers also tested the depression medicines Norpramin, Prozac, and Celexa. Those drugs also appeared to be helpful for the rats in overcoming helplessness.
Dietary Sources of Omega-3
Not all fish include the same amount of omega-3 fatty acids, so check levels for your favorite kind.
You do not like fish? Walnuts, flaxseed, and their oils have high quantities of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 supplements are also widely accessible, however they’re not regulated by the FDA. Any complements added to your regular medicines have the potential to bring about a serious interaction, therefore consult your physician to make sure it’s secure.
As far as uridine is concerned, sugar beets and beet molasses are food sources.
Don’t Go It Alone
If you suppose that you are experiencing depressed, inquire about professional help of a specialist. Diet may be one piece of the puzzle, but depression is too serious to tackle your own. An abundance of help is obtainable, from diet and physical activity to medicines and psychotherapy. The only thing you have to do is ask.
