Omega-3 Lessens the Body's Overreaction to Stress
It appears that DHA and EPA -- the essential fatty acids that come from Omega-3 -- may lessen the body's overreaction to stress. This is wonderful news for people that suffer from stress overload, anxiety and depression!
DHA and EPA appear to act as mood stabilizers. This may explain why increasing consumption of Omega-3 has been associated with a less intense reaction to stress.
Most recently, in a small study in France1 researchers decided to study how adding large amounts of Omega-3 to diet might affect the response to stress. They exposed volunteers to a mental stressor while measuring stress indicators such as levels of the brain chemicals epinephrine and cortisol, energy levels, and more.
Then they tested again after three weeks of adding large amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids to the volunteers' diets.
The results were that the increase in Omega-3 lessened the level of brain chemicals, energy levels, and other stress indicators in the volunteers.
The researchers concluded that supplementing the diet with Omega-3 inhibits the fight or flight response triggered by mental stress.
This is good news for anxiety sufferers. It appears that Omega-3 calms the body's fight or flight response and the long list of physical anxiety symptoms" you experience when the false alarm goes off. It brings your body's reaction to mental stress down a notch or two.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I found this info on a website. Hope everyone finds it useful.
p.s. I have had two really good days in now. I honestly have to say that this site has beeb a GOD send. This condition can be beat! Thanks again to everyone here. Your support has been a life-saver for me.
Susan