Cod liver oil 'may treat depression'

Taking a spoonful of cod liver oil a day could stave off depression, according to research.

A Norwegian study of almost 22,000 people aged 40 or over found that those who rarely or never consumed cod liver oil had higher rates of depression, stress or anxiety. However, the nine per cent who took just one spoonful of cod liver oil a day were significantly less likely to have depressive symptoms.

Writing in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the scientists said that the possible protective effect might be related to the high omega-3 fatty acid content in cod liver oil. They also suggested that the longer people took it, the less depressed they became.

The participants took a daily dose of between 0.7g and 1.2g of omega-3 in their cod
liver oil capsules - made by steaming cod livers and then pressing them until the oil is released. Oily fish such as trout, salmon and mackerel are rich in omega-3 as are walnuts, flaxseed and canola oil.

Up to one person in five is affected by depression at some point in their lives, and antidepressant prescriptions are at an all-time high. Almost 30 million prescriptions were written in England in 2005 at a cost of £338 million to the public health service.
As a result, there is mounting pressure to find alternative treatments to drugs.
 
Read how 'Ecotherapy' can help stave off depression and how Omega-3 may reduce blood pressure.

Watch the New You video Omega-3 - good fats from fish.