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Depression is more than just 'feeling down in the dumps'. It is a mood disorder with such symptoms as fatigue, sleep disturbances, restlessness, loss of energy, hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, irritation, agitation, inappropriate guilt, withdrawing from activity, and suicidal thoughts. A person does not have to have all of the symptoms, any five, at least, need to be present for a diagnosis of depression to be made. The symptoms also have to last more than just a few days. A lack in the modern diet of essential and metabolic fatty acids has been linked to the increase, over the last century, of depression.

The rise in the rate of disorders like depression due to a lack or imbalance between fatty acids shows how necessary essential and metabolic fatty acids are for the body and brain to function properly.

The role played in the function of serotonin and dopamine, which are chemicals of the brain, by essential fatty acids is important. If the balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids is wrong in the diet, optimum functioning of the brain chemicals can not be maintained and the result can be depression. Eating fatty fish or taking an omega-3 supplement such as fish oil is important to maintain a balance of essential and metabolic fatty acids. Visit http://www.omegaflaxseedoil.com to learn more about benefits of Omega 3.

The right balance of essential and metabolic fatty acids, especially DHA, has been argued by Hibbeln and Salem of the Laboratory of Membrane Biophysics and Biochemistry might possibly reduce the development of depression. A study involving bipolar disorder patients being treated with DHA and EPA along with their medication indicated that DHA and EPA improved results with these patients, showing fewer recurrences of mania or depression.

Patients in another study who suffered from depression, ate fatty fish two or three times a week for five years showed that they were not as likely to have feelings of depression Consuming fatty fish as a way to balance your levels of essential and metabolic fatty acids is excellent.

A wide imbalance in essential and metabolic fatty acids brought on by our modern eating habits has led to cases of depression to increase. The importance of correcting the imbalances is shown in tests treating depression patients with essential and metabolic fatty acids result in decreasing the occurrences and improving the feeling of depression.

Glossary:
Essential fatty Acids: Fatty acids are vital for physical and mental wellbeing which cannot be produced by the body.
Serotonin and Dopamine: two chemicals in the brain which are involved with emotions and nerve communication
Omega 3 fatty acids: Fatty acids essential for physical and mental wellbeing including ALA, GLA and DHA.