Diet high in fish may help protect against depression

Following a diet high in fish could help to protect against the development of depression, a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health suggests.
26 studies, which looked at a total of more than 150,000 people, were analysed by the Chinese researchers, with studies in Europe found to show apparently protective effects from a high-fish diet, but this finding was not specific to studies done in other parts of the world.
Having collated all their information together, the researchers’ findings show a significant link between the consumption of fish and the development of depression, for both men and women.
There are different potential reasons for fish helping to reduce the risk of developing depression. One is that people who consume a lot of fish may follow a healthier diet generally than others, which could benefit their mental health.
Another reason could be that the omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish, could be important in the activity of serotonin and dopamine, two chemicals found in the brain which may be involved in depression.
“We really agree that having these fatty acids in your diet can be helpful, and it’s something where people can make quite small changes that could have quite a big impact,” said Rachel Boyd, of Mind, the mental health charity, although she also highlighted that there are still many other factors which could play a role in the development of depression.