There is no doubt that depression is still one emotional disorder that is not only hard to cope with for millions affected, but also hard to treat.
You see, depression is very individual, and what causes depression in one person may just be the tip of the iceberg for another.
Fish oil is one easy to access, inexpensive, and multi-benefit supplement that can be added to anyone's diet.
More importantly, evidence is piling up that fish oil, which contains EPA, a type of fatty acid, and can curb depression and lift mood very effectively.
The idea that diet and supplementary vitamins, minerals and nutrients may naturally boost our mood may be quite a relief for those that have sought traditional medical therapy for depression.
Some studies have even shown that many patients are put on several antidepressant medications before they find the right one that actually works.
This can mean a lot of emotional turmoil in addition to the depression itself, a lot of second guessing on both the patient's and doctor's part, and overall, wasted time in treating this tragic condition.
Evidence has shown in comparisons of populations who consume very little fish, one of the strongest sources of EPA, vs.
populations who consume a lot of fish that the higher the fish consumption, the lower the rate of depression.
Not only that, the more seafood consumed, the less overall mental disorders too, so there are many more implications that are related to brain and emotional function as well.
This is all great stuff, but how can fish oil help you to maintain a tranquil, well functioning, happy frame of mind? Well, really the ideal way to get your EPA is to consume seafood that is high in this fatty acid.
Such seafood are delicious types of fish like tuna, mackerel, and salmon.
Although all fish does contain some omega 3's, the fatty ones such as the fish mentioned have some of the highest concentrations in them.
If you're not a big seafood person, or if you are a vegetarian, then try getting your omega 3 fatty acids from other sources like eggs (omega 3 enriched eggs are even better), walnuts, almonds, avocados, pumpkin seeds and flax seeds or ground flax seed.
If you feel like you can't fit these foods into your diet every day, it may be prudent to buy yourself a potent, high quality (mercury free preferably) omega 3 fish oil supplement.
These come in the form of a capsule, where you can see the yellowish colored oil inside a clear capsule.
Take the servings recommended on the bottle, since the potency differs per brand, but you may be able to scale back if your diet that day is already rich in these precious fatty acids.
Getting a lot of fish oil in your diet has proven healthy not only for your mind and your emotional health, but it has also proved greatly valuable to heart health as well.
Many people take these types of supplements to keep their hearts healthy, to help lower blood pressure and to also help as a preventive measure against stroke.
The reason for this is that evidence suggest diets high in omega 3 fatty acids, and also otherwise balanced, tend to yield much healthier, thinner blood.
This means that your blood is less likely to clog your arteries and cause coronary disease and stroke.
Both of these life threatening conditions are aggravated and even caused by high blood pressure and poor blood circulation.
It's important to remember to try to take a comprehensive approach to treating depression.
Many times there are multiple factors at work, and it's not just popping a supplement or changing one thing about your lifestyle.
Instead, it is really an over haul to several areas of your life that will help.
Increased exercise, making sure you have hobbies that make you feel content and useful, eating a balanced diet, having supportive and loving people in your life, and most of all appreciating yourself for who you are and the gifts you can offer, are all surefire ways to get you on the path to emotional well being.