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Fish oil and depression

Despite some recent media frenzy around how fish supplements don’t reduce cardiovascular risks (which I briefly discussed here), there is a continuous stream of articles showing the benefits of fish oil in some other disorders. Just as one example, there is one recent scientific review, where clinical trials surrounding fish oil use in the treatment of depression were comprehensively evaluated.

The authors were looking at the effectiveness of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the treatment of depression. PUFAs have potent anti-inflammatory properties and also direct effects on membrane properties.  Continue reading “Fish oil and depression”

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The Queen of All Herbs: St. John’s Wort

St John’s wort (also known as rosin rose or goatweed) is truly an impressive plant. It has been used for centuries to treat mental health disorders, including depression, mood swings, anxiety, and sleep problems. It also has some other fascinating health benefits, such as alleviating pre-menstrual symptoms, regulating  hormonal activity, protecting against viral infections, reducing inflammation, and even preventing cancer.  Continue reading “The Queen of All Herbs: St. John’s Wort”