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22nd May 2008 - New research FATTY ACIDS REDUCE DEPRESSION IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE Journal of Affective Disorders 2008 May 14; [Epub ahead of print] (da Silva TM, Munhoz RP, Alvarez C, Naliwaiko K, Kiss A, Andreatini R, Ferraz AC.) Complete abstract Omega-3 fatty acids are, like vitamins, essential for health and cannot be biosynthesized. So they have to be consumed in the diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are present in high quantities in some oils, such as fish oil. For more information go to Omega-3 fatty acids. A degree of depression is very common in Parkinson's Disease. The effect of fish oil supplementation was assessed in people with Parkinson's Disease and depression. Changes in depression were measured using three scales : Montgomery-Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS), the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BECK). Patients given fish oil supplements showed a significant reduction in depression on two of the three scales. In 42% of patients, their symptom scores were more than halved. In 22% of patients, they were rid of depression altogether. The authors do not explain how this anti-depressant effect was obtained. It can not be by increasing dopamine levels, because fatty acids are not involved in dopamine biosynthesis. Rather than using fish oil supplements, Omega-3 fatty acids can be better supplied by changing over to Canola oil (rapeseed oil) for use in frying and salad oil. For more information go to Canola oil (rapeseed oil) Rayilyn Brown Board Member AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn