The Role of Essential Fatty Acids in Treating Forms of Depression
Loading...
Authors
Davidson, Mara Lynn
Issue Date
2014
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Naturopathy , Fatty acid , Depression
Alternative Title
Abstract
Depression is a significant health concern throughout the world. One common observation is that dietary consumption of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has significantly decreased. With these crucial dietary components missing in dramatic proportions to that of ω-6 fatty acids (FA) a worsening of essential fatty acids (EFA) deficiencies has been linked to many diseases other than depression alone. The relationship between lack of FA as well as depression, and neurologic chemistry, the immune response, stress, genetics, bloodwork and serum levels, major depressive disorder (MDD), postpartum depression (PPD), cardiac health, and depression in the elderly is observed. Based on several studies, supplementation with a healthy dose of 1 gram per day of ω-3 PUFA, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), appreciably decrease depressive symptoms and improves mood along with other conditions.
Description
This thesis is being archived as a Digitized Shelf Copy for campus access to current students and staff only. We currently cannot provide this open access without the author's permission. If you are the author of this work and desire to provide it open access or wish access removed, please contact the Wahlstrom Library to discuss permission.
Citation
M.L. Davidson, "The Role of Essential Fatty Acids in Treating Forms of Depression", ND dissertation, College of Naturopathic Medicine, Univ. of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT, 2014.