I’ve got great news to share with you about yet another benefit of fish oil, or eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA). You are already aware of the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil when dealing with heart disease and the prevention of heart attacks, arthritis pain and even allergic skin eruptions.

But research now shows that fish oil is beneficial in treating major depression! The essential fatty acids that our brain and nerve cells need cannot be made by the human body, so they must be consumed from plant or marine sources such as flaxseed, linseed, hemp and walnut oils.

These plant or marine sources contain alpha linolenic acid (ALA) which your liver changes into omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Fish and fish oils provide high amounts of EPA and DHA.

One small trial showed that using just over nine grams daily of EPA/DHA was effective in treating bipolar disorder and depression. In a smaller study, adding two grams daily of pure EPA to antidepressant prescription medication improved depressed mood, feelings of guilt, worthlessness and even insomnia, without any adverse effects.

And in another small trial of 28 patients over two months, the results showed that adding 9.6 grams of fish oil daily to prescription antidepressant medication resulted in a noticeable decrease of major depression for participants with no harmful side effects.

So if you are facing a battle with depression, I recommend that you look into natural alternative ways help get you off the emotional roller coaster you are experiencing. Prescription drugs are not the only answer! See which foods and supplements you can add to your diet, and which ones work effectively for you.