May 27, 2003 – Omega-3 fatty acids help prevent depression that can occur during and after pregnancy, say British researchers.
They explain that these acids, which are found in fish like tuna, herring, salmon and sardines, help the brain to produce serotonin. Low serotonin levels, on the other hand, are closely linked to depression.
According to an epidemiological study of nearly 12,000 British women, the more omega-3 acids a mother-to-be consumes during the third trimester of her pregnancy, the less likely she is to suffer from depression at that time. The protective effect would last for up to eight months after childbirth. In fact, among women who ate the most (i.e. two or three meals of fish per week), the rate of depression was 50% lower than among women who ate the least.
This discovery could appeal to some women, since it has long been recommended that they limit their consumption of fish so as not to expose their fetuses to high levels of mercury. However, it should be noted, first of all, that government recommendations have always allowed two or three weekly meals of fish. Also, fish like salmon contain very little mercury. Finally, a recent study showed that mercury may not be as dangerous for the fetus as previously believed (see the article from PasseportSanté.net, dated May 16, 2003).
The results of this study were presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, but have not been published.
The problem of depression in pregnant women seems to be more prevalent than you might think. A recent study published in the Journal of Women’s Health reveals that up to 20% of them are depressed. This percentage rises to 40% if we only take into account women who had gone through a depressive episode before their pregnancy.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to Reuters Health and Associated Press; May 26, 2003.