Cod liver oil a 'depression treatment'

Source: Healthcare Digital

Date :13/06/2007 10:27:26

Norwegian scientists have suggested that taking a spoonful of cod liver oil each day could stave off depression.

In a study of almost 22,000 people aged over 40, those who regularly took the oil were less likely to suffer depression than those who did not.

The study in the Journal of Affective Disorders also suggested the longer one took it, the less depressed one became.

The oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which are linked to various benefits.

Omega-3s have also been claimed to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack and cancer, although some studies have cast doubt on this.

In this latest claim, scientists said a spoonful of cod liver oil could reduce the risk of depression by as much as 30 percent.

Depressive symptoms among cod liver oil users were 2.5 percent, compared to 3.8percent in the general population.

The researchers looked at 21,835 people aged between 40-49 and 70-74 across Norway between 1997 and 1999.

When compiling their report, the scientists took into account other factors which could impact upon depression, including age, gender, whether one smoked, drank coffee or alcohol, as well as levels of education and physical activity.

June 13 2007