Mood, Mind, and Salmon Oil: The Omega-3 Neuro Nutrient Balance

Omega-3s are typically found in fish oil (like Salmon Oil), fatty fish, and some types of marine algae. Great information :-) But how does this concern me?

Interestingly, emotional imbalance and mental fatigue seem far less common in places where people eat a lot of fatty fish. This has led scientists to explore whether fish oils might help support emotional unease and mood challenges.*

Let's see what they found out.

Hundreds of studies have looked into how specific Omega-3s may improve mental fatigue and emotional imbalance...*

...and several different mechanisms of action may have been discovered.

Ongoing research shows that Omega-3s can easily cross through the brain cell membrane and directly bind to nuclear receptors.¹ They also have anti-inflammatory actions that may help relieve mental fatigue.*

For instance, one 2015 study looked into the potential effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) on mood and anxiousness challenges.*²

Researchers reviewed existing data to determine if Omega-3 nootropics that contain both DHA and EPA (like Salmon Oil) might help with these challenges.*

They concluded that EPA and DHA may have potential benefits for cognitive health by modulating neurotransmitter activity, reducing inflammation, and supporting brain function.*

Over 30 clinical trials have tested different DHA and EPA preparations in those with emotional imbalance.

What's even more interesting is that many of these studies have used Omega-3s as add-on therapy for people who are taking non-natural substances with limited or no benefit.*

A 2023 observational study published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine involved 165 men and women with mild to moderate emotional imbalance.³

They were divided into three groups: one group received Omega-3 supplements, the second group took non-natural substances, and the third group combined both programs.

The findings indicated that all groups significantly improved emotional distress effects over time.*

However, the group that received the combined treatments experienced the most significant reduction in mental fatigue scores compared to those taking only Omega-3s or non-natural substances alone.*

This suggests that EPA and DHA may enhance the effectiveness of traditional non-natural substances, particularly in individuals with more serious challenges.*

Some studies even examined Omega-3 therapy alone.

In this case, clinical trials typically use EPA alone (or a combination of EPA plus DHA) at doses from 0.5 to 1 gram daily to 6 to 10 grams daily. For context, consuming 1 gram per day is comparable to eating three servings of salmon per week.

Meta-analyses—which evaluate and synthesize findings from multiple studies—generally indicate that Omega-3 Fatty Acids are effective.

As an example, researchers from the National Institute of Health Research Maudsley Biomedical Research Center conducted a study on 22 subjects with significant and persistent emotional imbalance.⁴

The participants received either 3 grams of EPA or 1.4 grams of DHA daily for 12 weeks.

The study found that both the EPA and DHA programs significantly improved emotional distress effects. The average reduction in effect scores was 64% in the EPA group and 71% in the DHA group.*

Young adults who may struggle with feeling off may also benefit from taking Omega-3-rich Salmon Oil (or other DHA and EPA-based quality nootropics).*⁴

What may all this research have in common?

Two specific Omega-3 Fatty Acids—the same DHA and EPA that are rich in Salmon Oil—are believed to be the most effective for people dealing with constant mood changes.*

Researchers examined how DHA is the brain's most abundant fatty acid and may be especially important in nerve cell structure and function.*⁵

Scientists also analyzed the role of the EPA in regulating cellular inflammation.*⁶

A significant amount of ongoing research studies explores how DHA and EPA may determine how well the head-brain develops, how well the head-brain functions, and how well the head-brain is preserved as it ages.*

It's also one of the reasons why, at HCF®, we prefer Salmon Oil (over other fish oils) for some of our advanced nootropics.

Wait a minute. What about ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid)?

For vegans, vegetarians, or those who simply don't like fish (or fish oils), dark leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, walnuts, and flaxseeds are all good sources of ALA.

But here's the kicker: While our bodies can convert ALA into EPA and DHA, the process is not particularly effective, and the conversion rate is very low. Therefore, plant foods may not provide the same amount of quality EPA and DHA as, for instance, Salmon Oil does.*

Plus, your DHA levels may also change depending on the type and amount of fatty acids in your diet. Not to mention that both EPA and DHA levels may naturally decrease as we age.*⁷

HCF®'s solution? Vegan Omega-3s derived from microalgae (Schizochytrium sp. strain).

Unlike plant-based sources such as kidney beans, walnuts, and flax seeds, which primarily contain ALA, our Algal Oil is a high-quality, pure source of both DHA and EPA (comparable even to Salmon Oil).*

Simply put, Algae Oil can provide these essential fatty acids directly for better absorption and efficacy without the need for conversion.*