Are The Foods You Eat Linked To High Suicide Rates?

As you get older, your chances of developing depression may drastically increase.

In fact, studies have shown that depression is a common problem seen in many older adults.

Here are some statistics on depression:

• 13 percent of community-dwelling older adults suffer from it

• 24 percent of medical outpatients have it

• 30 percent of older adults in acute care have it

• 43 percent of nursing home-dwelling older adults have it

These statistics are sobering when you think that you, like everyone else, are getting older and may start to experience some form, or degree, of depression.

Depression can come in two forms: mild or severe, and could lead to social and behavioral changes in the sufferers.

When you are depressed, you have a higher chance of having cognitive impairment, which could translate negatively into the social realm, leaving adults withdrawn, sad, angry, or with other symptoms associated with depression.

It has also been shown that depressed adults are at higher risk for delayed recovery from surgeries, more admissions to healthcare facilities such as hospitals, mental wards, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.

But the worst…

There are a growing number of adults committing suicide, due to depression.

However, there is hope!

And it comes from a source that most people would not even think of!

The Secret to Improving Depression

It has been shown that depression, when treated, could be reversed, even in older adults.

However, when it is left untreated, the outcome may very bleak, as noted above.

There is a growing body of evidence that omega-3 fatty acids, yes the fats found in fish, fish oil, and krill oil, could be used to treat depressive symptoms in adults.

Yes, you know, omega-3 fatty acids to improve heart health, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and other systems in your body.

But did you know that high levels of omega-3 fatty acids are found in your red blood cells, plasma, and even in your brain?

In fact, researchers have shown that most depressed adults may have low omega-3 fatty acid concentrations, which they theorize, could be one cause of their depression.

Pretty crazy! 

No wonder why your mother told you to eat your fish!

Now, as previously mentioned, treating depression symptoms could reverse depression in the adults who have it.

Before you learn about the results of the study, you should first understand how the RATIO of dietary fats could affect your health.

Ratio of Dietary Fats

Western diets have a higher ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids.

Research has shown that this ratio is a breeding ground for inflammation and chronic disease development.

When you eat omega-6 fatty acids, it has been shown that they may be converted by something called prostaglandins, into pro-inflammatory molecules.

Now these molecules may impair your immune system, create inflammation in various tissues and organs, and may be the crux to the development of diabetes, cancer, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and many more diseases.

However, it has also been shown in countless research studies, that by altering your ratio to include MORE omega-3 fatty acids, you could significantly alter the amount of pro-inflammatory molecules that are produced by your body.

Omega-3 fatty acids compete for the same prostaglandins that omega-6 fatty acids do.

But if omega-3 fats win out, then less pro-inflammatory molecules are produced and more ANTI-INFLAMMATORY molecules are instead produced.

What does this mean for YOU?

Less inflammation… 

A potential decrease in chronic disease risk…

A potential decrease in your risk for DEPRESSION and other issues related to your brain!

This is very important for not only your overall health, but for your quality of life moving forward into your golden years!

The Study

Now you know how important omega-3 fatty acids are for your health.

But how to do they help in depression?

The authors of this study wanted to see if altering the ratio between arachidonic acid (omega-6 fatty acids) and EPA (omega-3 fatty acids), would improve symptoms in older adults suffering from depression.

In order for the researchers to know how depressed the subjects were, each subject was a score based on the Geriatric Depression Scale.

That’s not the cool part though!

They found, by altering the ratio of AA to EPA resulted in MORE EPA in red blood cell membranes, and other areas of the body.

Also, they showed that the ratio between the two DECREASED (which is good!), meaning there was a better ratio between the two.

And, depression symptoms (according to the scale) also IMPROVED with the better ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids.

They concluded:

“This study confirms the positive effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in the treatment of elderly depression.”

The Results Are In…

If you do not take omega-3 fatty acids, maybe it is time to start taking them!

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to improve many cells and organs in your body, including your heart, eyes, fat cells, and lungs.

Now, omega-3 fatty acids may be associated with improving depression symptoms in elderly, older adults.

Omega-3 fats may easily be implemented into your diet through increased fish intake, omega-3 supplementation with fish oil, and krill oil.

Including more omega-3 fatty acids into your daily nutrition plan may be one of the most important steps you could take that could potentially improve both your health and wellness.



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