Several studies have revealed the innumerable benefits of fish oil for improvement of health in general. A new study now shows that it might be good enough even in the prevention of Alzheimer's, heart disease and depression associated with Multiple Sclerosis.
Multiple Sclerosis is a disease characterized by double vision, numbness and depression. Coping up with the disease is a significant problem for the patients. It is believed that the high levels of inflammatory proteins found in the blood could be responsible for depression in these groups of patients.The researchers set to examine the effectiveness of fish oil along with anti-depressant medication in the treatment of depression. As part of a clinical trial, the study participants were required to take six grams of fish oil along with the conventional treatment for a period of 6 months.
The levels of inflammation were assessed at the end of three months by using suitable markers. The results of the analysis were promising with over a 50 percent reduction in the levels. Inorder to verify the results obtained, the patients were again withdrawn from the fish oil treatment, only to find an increase in the levels of the marker. The side effects of therapy using fish oil include a fishy aftertaste and the risk of gastrointestinal disorder. The next step by the researchers is to find out if this decrease in levels of the inflammatory protein would produce a concomitant reduction in the depression levels. If successful, it would serve as a bonus for nearly 60% of multiple sclerosis patients who suffer from depression.
