Omega 3 fatty acids help menopausal transition

Menopause can be a difficult time for some women, but it may not have to be that problematic. There are several things which can be done to make it easier. A healthy diet and exercise have for example shown to be helpful, but a simple thing as taking a few capsules of omega 3 fish oil can produce results.

In the study referred to here, middle-aged women with psychological distress and depressive symptoms were treated with 1050 mg of eicosapentaecnioc acid (EPA) and 150 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per day or placebo for 8 weeks (Lucas M, et al, 2009). These women were rated as being under moderate to severe psychological distress and were evaluated using 3 different psychological tests.

After 8 weeks the study results showed that it was a significant improvement in both psychological distress and depression in the treatment group when compared to the placebo group.

Lucas M, et al. Ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid for the treatment of psychological distress and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. AM J ClinNutr, 2009 Feb;89(2):641-51.