How Fish Oils And Omega 3 Became Known

The health effects of fish oil and omega 3 became well known partly through the benefits seen in the population of Iceland.

Medical studies showed a relationship between their intake of fish oil and fish oil supplements as a source of omega 3 fatty acids, and good heart health and mental health.

We've heard that fish oil is good for our health from the news, but here' s how it all started...

Iceland, omega-3 and heart health

Iceland was featured in the medical journals by the fact that despite their people having relatively high cholesterol levels, including total and LDL cholesterol (the cholesterol related to cardiac risk), they had 3 times higher the levels of omega 3 fatty acids when compared to Canadian-Islanders, and had significantly less heart disease when compared to the same group.

The Canadian-Islanders were genetically similar to the Islanders, but had the lower omega 3 fatty acid levels.

The authors concluded that “omega 3 poly unsaturated fatty acids may be cardioprotective in the context of an otherwise atherogenic diet.”[1]

And also their good moods....

A study by Magnusson in 2000, looking at the relationship between omega 3 oils and depression found a lack of seasonal affective disorder in Iceland. This was a striking finding when compared with other countries in similar latitude.[2] Seasonal affective disorder refers to depression and mood problems related to winter seasons.

Cotter suggested that the lack of seasonal affective disorder seen in this study may be related to Iceland’s high intake of fish in their diet (225 lb per person per year).[3] He also noted similar findings in Japan, who also has a high intake of fish (147 lb per person per year). Other countries studied had higher rates of the disorder which correlated with their lower intakes of fish, for example, Finland (72), Sweden (59), Netherlands (25), Canada (51), United States (48 lb per person per year).

This is in keeping with the other studies, including double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, done on the relationship between fish oil and depression.

The mechanism by which omega 3 fatty acids helps with mood is being studied.

We know that omega 3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids in that our bodies cannot make them, and so they must be consumed from our diet.

We also know that it is fatty acids that makes up our brains, amongst many of its other important functions, which is why it may not be surprising to see studies about omega 3 in relation to improving brain function, improving mood, reducing hostility, and reducing the risk of dementia.

It is interesting to note that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), one of the 2 main components of fish oil, is selectively concentrated in synaptic membranes, which are the junctions where our brain cells communicate with each other.[3]

It is thought that omega 3 oils regulate mood through several mechanisms, including the modulation of serotonin turnover [3], a brain chemical important in the regulation of mood.

Fish and fish oil is brain food certainly!

As our population ages, we'll continue to look for natural supplements such as fish oil supplements to help keep us healthy while we age.

References:

• 1. Skuladottir GV, et al. Plasma fatty acids and lipids in two separate, but genetically comparable, Icelandic populations. Lipids. 1995 Jul;30(7):649-55.

• 2. Magnusson A, Axelsson J, et al. Lack of seasonal mood change in the Icelandic population: results of a cross-sectional study. Am J Psychiatry 2000; 157:234–238.

• 3. Cott J, Hibbeln, J. Lack of Seasonal Mood Change in Icelanders: Letter to the Editor. Am J Psychiatry 158:328, February 2001.