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EPA for Major Depression

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Posted 6/18/2012 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Last week, I went to the health food store and got some EPA-DHA Omega 3 supplements. I was told by one of the workers there that I should take 3 softgels a day for the first week, in order to jumpstart feeling better.

I have had depression for well over a year now, most probably major depression, according to my counselor. Furthermore, I'm trying to eliminate my depression using natural methods, such as daily exercise and supplements.

Each softgel that I take contains of 800 mg of EPA and DHA, as well as much smaller amounts of omega 6 and 9. So if I take 3 of these softgels a day for a week, that would be 2400 mg of Omega 3 each day (2.4 g).

My question is, is it safe for me to take this much Omega 3 in one day, even if it's just for a week?

Thank you! :)

Posted 6/18/2012 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
That would be best to ask your doctor, or look it up on the internet. I know omega 6 and 9 are both good for you. I take fish oil. I hope that it helps you. I would talk to the doc about it too. If the natural food store person said it was okay, then it probably is. Good luck...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/18/2012 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, I guess I will continue to try looking up what the omega 3 limit for people is daily. I haven't found much on it yet...it seems to be a new depression treatment method.
May I ask what is your opinion on fish oil? Does it seem to have any affect?
Posted 6/18/2012 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
To be honest, it is hard to say. I have problems with fibrofog. I haven't gone off of it to see if it made a difference. But the psychiatrists insists that I take it. It is suppose to help with the cognative aspect of it I guess. I really am not sure. I take vitamin D3 and it helps me with my mood. I have missed it and it does make a difference in how I feel. I take 5000iu a day. Maybe it would help you too. It seems to help my moods and gives me a little energy. I use to take 2000iu a day and found out I was low. So now I take 5000. I hope that this helps some. Good luck...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/18/2012 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
What does your counselor suggest? Or your doctor?

As far as the EPA/DHA supplements they have not been proven to be more effective than a placebo. Most of the studies done on EPA/DHA used them in addition to a real antidepressant so the results mean nothing.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/06/11/supplements.for.depression/index.html

Do some research and always talk to a real doctor before taking anything.
Posted 6/19/2012 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
To Karen: Thank you for your feedback! I have tried to take 5000 IU of vitamin D as well, as suggested by my doctor. I had bloodwork done about a year ago, and they said my D3 was way low, so that's when I started taking it. It didn't really do anything for my mood, and I still had fatigue. That's when I figured low D3 was probably not the problem for me, and not what was causing the depression. However, I do believe it was important for me to get my D3 levels right, so I'm glad I went ahead and took it.
To Kaely: I have yet to talk to my counselor about it, but I think they would say there is no harm in trying the omega 3's, just to be sure. I have found one study in which the omega 3 actually surpassed placebo results, but as you said, they were usually used in combination with an anti-depressant. I definetly agree with your research suggestion, but I am often frustrated to find little information on EPA applications to depression. I'll continue looking for info though.


Thanks so much, both of you, for your feedback!
Posted 6/19/2012 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
There has been very little research to find. However, as you said, there's no reason NOT to try it. Unless you are on a blood thinner as fish oil thins the blood. Also if you have angina please check with the doc before taking fish oil. you Are much better off eating fish than taking fish oil supplements.

Most natural health experts suggest between 2-3 grams of omega-3 per day. A quality fish oil supplement should offer about 1,000mg (1 gram) per capsule and suggest taking 2 capsules a day. The rest of the omega-3's you should get from eating a healthy diet.
Posted 6/20/2012 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not on a blood thinner, so I don't have to worry about that. The fish oil I'm taking contains over 800mg of fish oil, and I take two of them a day. However, the quality of the particular brand is very good, and has a high concentration of the good oils from fish (EPA and DHA).
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