Fight Stress and Win with Essential Fatty Acids

Whether it’s in your body, in your mind, or both, times of stress almost always spell concern for your mental and physical health. But luckily, new research suggests that gaining control of uneasy moods and imbalanced inflammatory responses might be simpler than you think.

According to a new study, the secret to success against stress could be a daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids—essential fatty acids that you must acquire through your diet, since your body can’t manufacture them on its own. This recent study included 68 medical students, all of whom supplemented with 2.5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (consisting of 2,085 mg EPA and 348 mg DHA) or a placebo that contained fatty acids proportional to those found in the average American diet.

The students’ moods were evaluated, and blood samples were taken—measuring for pro-inflammatory chemical mediators such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)—during low-stress times, and again on the days leading up to an exam. As it turns out, findings showed an impressive trend.

Results revealed that, among those students supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids, there was a 14 percent drop in IL-6 production—pointing to a positive influence on the subjects’ inflammatory responses—accompanied by a 20 percent reduction in feelings of unease. Not surprisingly, the study also indicated that a lower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, with a profile favoring the latter over the former, was directly linked to these stress-busting benefits.¹

The researchers’ conclusion: Omega-3 fatty acids—like you’ll find in a daily dose of EPA- and DHA-rich fish oil—fight stress on multiple levels, supporting not only a balanced inflammatory response, but also curbing uneasy moods in healthy young individuals.

For a comprehensive omega-3 supplement without the trademark fishy aftertaste, look to a formula like CP’s Omega3 + D3—a great-tasting, fruit-flavored liquid that combines optimal amounts of EPA and DHA with an additional dose of vitamin D3.

Reference:

1. Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Belury MA, Andridge R, Malarkey WB, Glaser R. Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation and anxiety in medical students: A randomized controlled trial. Brain Behav Immun. 2011 Jul 19. Published Online Ahead of Print.