Fatty Acids
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and post-partum depression (fish oil + pregnancy)
Does "Omega 3 Fatty Acids" make a difference during pregnancy?
The importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids during pregnancy and nursing.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Post-partum Depression (fish oil + pregnancy) As a Wellness Coach I attended a lecture on Omega-3 Fatty Acids and its many benefits. One of the speakers, a physician specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology, stated that through his practice experience he became convinced that he observed a downward trend of post-partum depression by incorporating pharmaceutical (non-prescription) Omega-3 Fatty Acid into the Maternity Nutrition Program he developed. He instructed his patients to take optimal servings of fish oil on a daily basis. This prompted me to start searching pertinent articles on Pubmed as among my Wellness clients, many are in their child-bearing years. My purpose is to to relate the research findings to clinical practice. I speak with physicians frequently and am not convinced that nutritional support during pregnancy is yet the "standard of practice". At this point, the literature confirms that there is no "downside" in the use of fish oils during pregnancy. However, the studies vary from "inconclusive" to those that support the physician's anecdotal findings. A recent study focused on using Omega-3 Fatty Acids as part of a treatment for post-partum depression. There results, inconclusive. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2008 Mar;42(3):199-205 "RESULTS: A total of 26 subjects were recruited and there was no significant difference in depression scores between those receiving fish oil and those receiving the placebo. CONCLUSIONS: This is formally a negative study, suggesting that there is no benefit for omega-3 fatty acids over placebo in treating PND. The reason could be that the study was underpowered due to recruitment difficulties and therefore we suggest that it may be unwise to interpret this result as conclusive. Omega-3 is a natural product that is a safe and well-tolerated treatment. Further research is therefore needed in this area to establish whether omega-3 fatty acids are an effective treatment for PND." The above-mentioned study was focused on implementing the Omega-3 Fatty Acid post-partum while the physician referenced in the first paragraph was using it throughout the pregnancy. Therefore, I looked for studies that would be more in line with his experience. 1: Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2005 Apr;39(4):274-80. -same author, different study.
"OBJECTIVES: To consider the possible rationale and utility of omega-3 fatty acids as a treatment for depression in the perinatal period. METHOD: A review of published and unpublished research was undertaken, using electronic databases, conferences proceedings and expert informants. RESULTS: Relevant bodies of evidence include an epidemiological link between low fish intake and depression. Laboratory studies show correlations between low omega-3 fatty acid levels and depression, as well as reduced levels of omega-3 in non-depressed women during the perinatal period. Treatment studies using omega-3 in patients with mood disorders further support an omega-3 contribution, as do neuroscientific theories. Research into omega-3 and infant development also highlights potential effects of depletion in the perinatal period and supports infant safety and benefits of supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relative lack of knowledge about the safety of standard antidepressants in the perinatal period. There is a clear need for more research into alternative treatments, such as omega-3 fatty acids, in the management of depression in the perinatal period."
Omega-3 Fatty Acids are known to result in an anti-inflammatory response. I ran across a study which is pertinent to this fact. 1: Int Breastfeed J. 2007 Mar 30;2:6 submitted by Kendall-Tackett K. "BACKGROUND: Research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) has revealed that depression is associated with inflammation manifested by increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines. DISCUSSION: The old paradigm described inflammation as simply one of many risk factors for depression. The new paradigm is based on more recent research that has indicated that physical and psychological stressors increase inflammation. These recent studies constitute an important shift in the depression paradigm: inflammation is not simply a risk factor; it is the risk factor that underlies all the others. Moreover, inflammation explains why psychosocial, behavioral and physical risk factors increase the risk of depression. This is true for depression in general and for postpartum depression in particular. Puerperal women are especially vulnerable to these effects because their levels of proinflammatory cytokines significantly increase during the last trimester of pregnancy--a time when they are also at high risk for depression. Moreover, common experiences of new motherhood, such as sleep disturbance, postpartum pain, and past or current psychological trauma, act as stressors that cause proinflammatory cytokine levels to rise. Breastfeeding has a protective effect on maternal mental health because it attenuates stress and modulates the inflammatory response. However, breastfeeding difficulties, such as nipple pain, can increase the risk of depression and must be addressed promptly. CONCLUSION: PNI research suggests two goals for the prevention and treatment of postpartum depression: reducing maternal stress and reducing inflammation. Breastfeeding and exercise reduce maternal stress and are protective of maternal mood. In addition, most current treatments for depression are anti-inflammatory. These include long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, cognitive therapy, St. John's wort, and conventional antidepressants."Note on inflammation: One recommendation for maintaining the inflammation balance in the body is what we eat as it can lower the inappropriate inflammation in our bodies. (yes, inflammation plays an important role as a part of our immune sytem's helping our bodies to protect itself) The American diet can be highly inflammatory and that directly affects many problems including fatigue and depression. I have learned that the following foods are "anti-inflammatory":
- Fruits, non-starchy vegetables and greens
- Wild caught fish eaten 2 - 4 times a week or take pharmaceutical grade fish oil daily
- If you use an oil, make it olive oil
- Decrease or eliminate grain from your diet
- Stop eating when you are full
- Use daily supplements
- Eat at home, not fast-food restaurants
- Don't skip meals
I bring this to you for your consideration if you are a physician, physician assistant, midwife, or assisting women during pregnancy. I know getting the right amount of Omega-3 Fatty Acid is important for the fetus' brain development while in utero and while nursing. Mothers should incorporate this nutrient into their diets to insure their health and the health of their baby. I have not included all the studies regarding this subject for obvious reasons. However, I am not sure how committed those in Obstetrics are to nutrition education and patient compliance during pregnancy and nursing. All I know is that everything that can safely be done to keep mom healthy and baby thriving, should be done. Thus I encourage optimal servings of a pharmaceutical grade Omega-3 Fatty Acid (EPA/DHA) be taken throughout pregnancy and nursing. Note: Burping can be avoided by storing the softgels in the freezer.
Submitted by: Toni Wayne
http://inshapezone.blogspot.com
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