|
 There
have been a lot of stories in the news over the last few years
about the wonders of omega-3 fish oil; but can fish oil cure
anxiety, or at least lessen the symptoms of it?
At times it seems like this "wonder supplement"
can benefit nearly every type of condition known to humankind.
The benefits of fish oil on the cardiovascular system are
well documented, and it has also been researched in connection
with depression, anxiety, diseases of aging such as Alzheimer's,
and a wide variety of other ailments.
When it comes to anxiety, fish oil still needs
more research before experts can say it is a "cure,"
but the research conducted so far demonstrates that it often
has significant benefits for many
types of anxiety, as well as other so-called mood disorders.
Several prominent studies have shown that omega-3 can relieve
symptoms of depression, and one recent study reported remarkable
results in treating bipolar syndrome with a relatively large
daily dose of fish oil.
There
has also been a limited amount of research on fish oil and
social anxiety, and at least so far, the results look promising.
This is not to say that fish oil can "cure" social
anxiety; but it may turn out to be a very useful supplement
in controlling the condition.
When it
comes to generalized anxiety, omega-3 has also demonstrated
some positive results. There are currently new studies underway
in the United States and Europe to confirm the benefits of
fish oil for cases of generalized anxiety, and age-related
anxiety.
Because
doctors tend to be quite conservative in Western countries,
very few are willing to come out and say that anxiety sufferers
"should" be taking fish oil supplements on a daily
basis. But there is no denying that the results of recent
studies are certainly encouraging. The best advice may be
to speak to your doctor about using fish oil supplements daily.
It is especially important to discuss this with your doctor
if you are planning on taking larger doses of fish oil, such
as those used in a few recent anxiety studies.
And because
omega-3 has shown helpful benefits in many areas, including
arthritis, preventing heart disease, improving circulation,
and others, anxiety sufferers could potentially get more than
just a supplement to improve their anxiety condition -- the
"side effects" of the supplement could also be very
helpful to their overall health.
Researchers
are careful to point out, however, that not all fish oil supplements
are created equal. If you're considering taking fish oil for
anxiety, it is important to use a good brand, with a consistent
track record. Preferably, you want to use the same research
grade fish oil used in university-level studies, although
it does tend to be more expensive than the regular gel tabs
you find at most retail stores.
For now,
there is no clear evidence to say that fish oil can "cure"
anxiety, but the data suggests that it can have the effect
of lessening the problem, and perhaps making it easier to
control when combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation
techniques, or self-help anxiety control methods.
Fish oil
also has the benefit of being a completely natural substance,
and side effects (though there are a few) tend to be much
less severe than anti-anxiety pharmaceuticals. For these reasons,
and considering all of the other benefits fish oil has shown,
many doctors and researchers consider it a very promising
supplement for mood disorders, and preferable to most of the
SSRI's or benzo-class medications that are commonly used to
treat anxiety problems.
To
quote those cheesy pharmaceutical commercials, "ask your
doctor if fish oil is right for you!"
Related
Articles:
Natural Remedies for Anxiety
Treating Anxiety
Naturally
General Anxiety Disorder
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