Prozac from the Sea

Omega-3 fatty acids were an important part of our ancestors' diets, but people today consume only a tiny proportion of the amount naturally occurring in traditional diets. It appears, however, that we may need omega-3s for our mental health, as suggested by the following two studies:

• A study at Purdue University found that children with attention deficit disorders (ADD) were more likely than their peers to have low levels of omega-3s in their blood. Tests are under way to see if omega-3 supplementation can improve the attention and cognitive skills of children with ADD.
• A study of Japanese teens found that those who had been taking omega-3 supplements for three months were less aggressive during a stressful exam period than teens not taking supplements.

Omega-3s are found in nuts, soybeans, flax seeds, and abundantly in fish.    Based on information in: Health, May/June 1997; Psychology Today, March/April 1997