Omega 3 And Surprising Result

[grasscarp]

I recently took part in a 6 month blind trial of effects on over 60s taking Omega 3 supplement. I was not told if I was taking it or the placebo. We were tested at intervals for ability to walk quickly, take steps up and down, jump, grip test, mental dexterity and bone strength.
I told the tester on the last visit that I was pretty sure I had taken the Omega 3 and one of the main things I had noticed was a feel of real well being and general contentment with life.
Sure enough a week or two later they confirmed I had been on real thing.
I have had a look on internet and it seems there is a correlation between depression and being short of Omega 3.
Just wanted to say I am now buying these for myself as I dont want to lose the very real effect they had on me. I would also recommend them to other ABers who may want to boost the feel good factor.

[jno]

perhaps they should put it in the water supply to make people more content with their lot...

[Ric.ror]

Right that has helped me decide.
I was about to buy some veggie capsules from morrisons
I definately will now

[boxtops]

what good feedback, grasscarp. I'm a great believer myself, I saw the benefits my Mum had with her movement when she took fish oils. I'm currently taking Omacor on prescription from my GP to address my cholesterol levels. There is more to this than most people realise!

[237SJ]

How many mgms did you take? I`ve got a friend who has been suffereing a bit of depression and insomnia. I might suggest she tries them as she is veggie (not so veggie that she wouldn`t take fish oil) and may be deficient.

[grasscarp]

I dont know 237sj as we were just taking 4 capsules a day after a meal with nothing marked on bottle as it was blind trial. I am now taking vitabiotics ultra omega-3 high potency which I found on the shelf in Tesco.
I think they (or any similar good quality product) may very well help your friend and will certainly not harm her.

[237SJ]

Thanks grasscarp. I`ll tell her about it.

[Sqad]

grasscarp........who organised the trial? Was it a hospital organized trial?

[grasscarp]

Sqad, it was organised by Roehampton University but they did not say which company they are doing this research on behalf of. They have very impressive equipment and everything was done very professionally. I have done 3 trials over the years there but have never known they were for.

[sandyRoe]

Would 4 capsules be about the same as a tablespoon full?

[Sqad]

Thanks grassy.

[grasscarp]

More like a teaspoon full Sandy. The liquid inside the gelatine (?) coating is not that much and I had no idea of the strength either.

[netibiza]

I'm going to take goji berries, they seem to do everything that omega does.

[Prudie]

I have seen information before on Omega3 helping with nerves and depression, My mother was always a sufferer but unfortunately having heard of this remedy she tried it with no improvement. Maybe you have to believe.

[grasscarp]

I didnt believe in anything Prudie. I was taking something that may have been nothing but a placebo. I was not expecting much from it but found the testing was for muscle and bone strength as well as mental ability. Then I found that additionally I was feeling very upbeat with none of the negative feelings/sense of doom that I had often experienced in early hours of the morning. That was when I looked on the internet and saw there was a corelation between omega 3 and depression. And if thats all it takes to keep me happy I will continue to take them. Nothing works for everybody and sorry to hear about your mum.

[pixie373]

It might depend on what caused the depression too, prudie. It may help some and not others.

[petal54]

I may now no longer avoid buying things with omega 3

[Sqad]

grassy

\\\\ I was not expecting much from it but found the testing was for muscle and bone strength as well as mental ability.\\\

\\\\We were tested at intervals for ability to walk quickly, take steps up and down, jump, grip test, mental dexterity and bone strength. \\\

So quite early in the trial you had a good idea what it was all about.

[Prudie]

Yes sorry, I hadn't meant to sound dismissive at all. There is certainly evidence that it has helped some people and that must connect directly with the original cause I expect. My mother was very hopeful but ended up disappointed. I'm glad it has worked for you grasscarp, anything that alleviates such scary stuff must be a blessing.

[grasscarp]

Yes, Sqad, it was easy to see from the testing what they were hoping to find. I still dont know what the results of that will be, though I think the organiser who contacted me by phone recently said he would let me know the results of the study in due course.

[Sqad]

My take on Omega 3 supplement (For what it is worth)

There is no scientific evidence whatsoever to suggest that it reduces the incidence of heart attacks or strokes.

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that it either relieves the pain of Osteo-Arthritis or retards it 's progression.

There is conflicting evidence concerning it's benefit in mild depression and has no benefit in severe depression.

Oily fish meals 3 times a week is as nutritional for Omega 3 as the supplement.

Dangers: for men, there is strong evidence that supplements of Omega 3 increase markedly the development of cancer of the prostate.