Posted by Devlin on December 13, 2000, at 16:28:42
In reply to Re: GET OFF THE GARBAGE GET ON THE EPA, posted by mr. man on December 13, 2000, at 15:44:32
60% of the dry weight of the brain is fat. the fat in the brain comes for the most part in the form of a very special group of fats known as the phospholipids (Horrobin DF).
Phospholipids are absolutely vital for the smooth running of almost all of the brain's functionsFor years, scientists had wondered why Greenland Eskimos had such a low incidence of heart disease, despite a diet of seal blubber and other high-fat foods. Studies eventually revealed the reason: They eat a lot of fish rich in compounds called omega-3 fatty acids, a "good" fat with cardioprotective effects. Now, compelling new evidence suggests these fish oils may be providing another benefit as well-keeping the Eskimos "even keeled" and happy.
Some researchers are now beginning to think that depression may in many people be a physical illness, a disorder of biochemistry, which happens to affect the brain. We do not yet have a definite answer but some impressive findings are accumulating. The most interesting are studies in which people's psychological health has been evaluated at a stage in their lives when they are physically healthy. Then, years later, the physical health of those who, years before, were depressed or not depressed has been compared.
All the studies are consistent and four are particularly impressive. If people are depressed, but apparently physically healthy, 10, 20 or 30 years later they have a greatly increased risk of having a heart attack. (3-7). The effect is so large and the different studies are so consistent across countries in Europe and the USA and Canada that there is no real possibility of this being a chance finding. Depression often comes before a heart attack by many years.The results indicate something major is happening. So many research strands, from so many different directions, are now coming to the same conclusions that major progress is inevitable. EPA, a natural substance within the human body, may prove a major advance not only in the treatment of different types of depression, but also in those medical illnesses which are related to it.
Dr Joseph Hibbeln, of the NIAAA for example, has argued that the deficits in Omega-3 fatty acids may actually be causing the depression and the immunological problems (1). This may be partly due to changes in the diet in industrialised countries where intakes of Omega-3 fatty acids have fallen while those of Omega-6 fatty acids and of saturated fatty acids have steadily increased. These dietary effects may be much greater in people with some types of genetic make-up than in others. As a result many people may eat modern diets without experiencing any problems, whereas others may be susceptible to the adverse effects of the diets.Two Danish researchers', O and E Christensen, analyzed the results from the perspective of the dietary habits of the different countries. They discovered that the quantity and type of fat being consumed differed between the countries. Further analysis lead to the discovery that the higher the intake of saturated (hard) fat the worse was the outcome of schizophrenia. The higher the intake of fish and vegetable fat the better was the outcome.
poster:Devlin
thread:50485
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001130/msgs/50518.html