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Among the various things that fish oil fights including Alzheimer's, rheumatoid arthritis, ADD, and heart disease, it has also been shown to be quite useful in fighting the neurological disorder known as depression.

One study, titled 'Omega-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acid status as a predictor of future suicide risk,' by M. Sublette and other authors tracked 33 depressed patients that were not on any medication at the time. They tracked the omega-3 fatty acid levels (supplementing with fish oil increases this) of these patients over a 2 year period. The authors of the study were able to predict the likelihood of whether or not the patient was going to attempt to commit suicide based upon their omega-3 fatty acid levels ' the lower the levels, the more likely they were to attempt suicide.

In another study titled 'Omega-3 treatment of childhood depression: a controlled, double-blind pilot study,' the authors investigated omega-3's role in depression in children. The children were between ages 6 and 12. They concluded that there was a 'highly significant effects of omega-3 on symptoms' and that 'omega-3 fatty acids may have therapeutic benefits in childhood depression.'

Now, more specifically, which part of the omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils affect mood? In another study titled 'Fat food for a bad mood. Could we treat and prevent depression in Type 2 diabetes by means of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids? A review of the evidence,' the authors conducted a search of all of the published studies having to do with investigating fish oil's affect on mood and depression. The authors concluded that there is a definitive and significant impact on mood and depression with the supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids, but also that they affect seems to mostly be determined by the amount of EPA (a subnutrient of the omega-3s) within the supplementation.

In a study titled 'Influence of supplementary vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids on the antisocial behaviour of young adult prisoners. Randomised, placebo-controlled trial,' by Bernard Gesch and other authors, 231 young prisoners were assigned to either a placebo/control group or a group that received a supplement containing fish oils. After 2 weeks, those receiving the actual fish oil capsules committed an average of 35.1% less offenses than those in the control group. The authors concluded that 'antisocial behaviour in prisons, including violence, are reduced by vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids with similar implications for those eating poor diets in the community.' So not only does fish oil seem to help combat depression, it also seems to help combat the amount of violent offenses, at least in prison inmates, which could be, theoretically, linked to depression.

So, take your fish oil and you will improve your mood, reduce violent outbursts, fight depression, and protect yourself against various diseases.