omega 3/6 oils for depression - anyone use?

[mspbrittle]

my depression is back with a vengance this last couple of weeks, am slowly sinking. Just went back up to 40mg citalopram yesterday after a couple of months on 10 and 20mg

really REALLY want to tackle this and try to keep meds down at lower limts

was researching today on mood enhancing foods as I want to give myself best chance with diet (of course, ironically, I tend to eat much better when feeling well and reach for the easy carb and fat laden no effort crap when in a blue spot) and came across this website which links to this pure EPA stuff

anyone used it or know anything about it helping?

also, anything that might help with raging (RAGING - I mean suicidal) PMT? [begging emoticon]

Hi msp, I believe omega 3 really does help depression etc. I can't take it as I have low blood platelets... but my son and partner both take 1000mgs fish oil ( not cod liver oil, too toxic )a day. I notice when they haven't been taking it, that they are more moody. Must take it for a good few months to feel the effects though. Evening primrose oil is good for your hormonal mood swings...The only way really is to be consistent in the healthy things you do. Will power is needed! If I'm having a bad day I just wanna eat rubbish, full of carbs and wallow :( I know I really can't afford to do that, so I force myself to stick with it :) xx

You can take fish oils, vitamin D drops, plenty of vitamin C and B complex, a multivit. Buy a good quality as with vitamins you usually get what you pay for, Biocare and Solgar are both good makes.
You could also try a light box for the winter months.
Caffine and alcohol are both bad news for depression sufferers and try to stick to a low glycemic index diet, ie try and avoid refined carbs, sugars etc

thanks - I have been mainlining the caffeine and drinking more than I know is good for me (not very much!) also eating loads more bread and cakes of late (new boyfriend loves to bake - unfortunately for me he is very good at it too)

as a result I am feeling sluggish and lardy on top of everything else, which absolutely does not help

did quite well with the food and drinks today (just one coffee, lots of herbal tea, healthy wholesome food, salad, jacket potato, porridge etc) until just now, got kids to bed (phase 1 of what might be a long struggle again tonight) and came straight down and hit the chocolate...

also one thing I KNOW I am lacking is exercise - I'm a single mum working f/t though, it's bloody hard to fit it in, and I am usually quite quite knackered!

Hi, diagnosed as depressed 3 weeks ago and have been taking lexapro, but on advice of a friend I have started taking tablets which contain Omega 3,6 & 9, so would be really interested to hear if anyone has found them helpful.

Meant to say she didn't advise me to take them because of the depression but more to help me with my diet:)

I have just mentioned on another thread Patrick Holford's book called Optimum nutrition for the mind. You can get it from the library.

Bumping this thread because would really like to hear people's opinions . .

what's teh other thread sailorsgal?

desiretochange - good luck - are you trying a major diet change?

Not really msp, just trying to eat sensibly

well, good liuck with that. I'm with you on it!

After reading the Optimum nutrition for your mind book, I have been taking omega 3/6, 5 htp, vit B complex, chromium and St. John's Wort.

I was really low and suffering anxiety for a few months. Tearful a lot, anxious about everything. I've been taking the above for six weeks now, and whilst I'm still unhappy ( this is circumstances, rather than biological ), I feel so much calmer, less anxious and much more able to cope. My last period was PMT free too.

Have also been eating really well, no processed stuff and minimal sugar too.

Just don't combine SJW or 5HTP with conventional AD's as you could end up with seratonin syndrome.
The PH book is good, I base my supplements on a regimen from a book called the way up from down by pricilla slagle. I feel so much better now.

thanks - need to stay on the conventional ADs for now so won't introduce SJW or 5HTP but I'm guessing the omega oils and vit b complex can't hurt and may make my next dosage reduction (when I am ready for that) a bit more stable. Maybe...

I really need to not drink alcohol, thought I could get a way with the odd glass of wine but that often leads to two or three over a special meal out (not often but the after effect on my mood can be awful) and it does me absolutely no favours...at all...I do so love a nice glass of red, or the odd glass of prosecco...

What is SJW and 5HTP

St John's Wort. 5HTP is a natural supplement that helps with depression and anxiety, helps boosts seratonin. It's available from health food shops. Many countries market it as an antidepressant, and there have been studies indicating that it's effective.

I've certainly found it to be so.

mspbrittle, chromium is another good supplement to take.