Fish Oil Was the Right Depression Treatment For Me

Until the introduction of prescription anti-depressants, counseling was the main course of treatment. Some doctors suggested nutritional supplementation. For example, tryptophan was popular, before the introduction of Prozac.

Tryptophan is an amino acid found in foods such as turkey and cheese. However, it is present in foods only in small quantities.

Tryptophan was recommended because it is a precursor to serotonin. In other words, the body uses tryptophan to make serotonin.

People who have taken anti-depressants may remember that most of the new ones are referred to as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs. They work by inhibiting the re-absorption of serotonin, making its effects last longer.

Serotonin is basically a feel good chemical produced in the brain. You might wonder why serotonin is not prescribed as a depression treatment. The reason is that serotonin will not cross the blood brain barrier. It can get into the blood, but not into the brain.

Tryptophan was all but banned after a bad batch from Asia was found to contain contaminants that caused serious illnesses. It was replaced by 5 HTP.

5 HTP is another natural compound that can cross the blood brain barrier. It is also a precursor of serotonin and many people find that it is effective for relieving depressive disorders.

Personally, I found that it relieved my depressive feelings, but caused the same kind of headaches I experienced with prescription anti-depressants. Finally, I tried fish oil.

I am something of a skeptic. It was hard for me to believe that something as simple as fish oil could be an effective depression treatment. But, I was aware of the science behind it.

DHA, which is only found in some kinds of seafood, fish oil and marine algae, is a major component of the human brain. Many people, me included, sometimes fail to eat a truly balanced diet, preferring poultry and beef to fish and seafood.

When it comes to getting enough DHA, you would need to eat two servings of salmon every day to get the same amount of the nutrient that is found in the best fish oil supplements. That's more salmon than I care to eat.

Fish oil was the right depression treatment for me. Maybe, it will work for you, too.

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional who struggled with depression for many years. Currently, she is a freelance writer. To learn more about the benefits of fish oil and how to choose a good supplement, visit http://www.best-fish-oil-dietary-supplements.com.