Flax Oil & Serotonin Levels

While there are countless drugs on the market to combat depression, there are also a surprising number of foods that can help alleviate the symptoms. One of those foods is flax seed oil, an oil that has been shown to affect serotonin, the body's naturally occurring "feel-good" chemical.

Theories/Speculation

• Oil from flax seeds can bring relief.

  Doctors and scientists believe serotonin levels are critical to mental health. Low serotonin levels are often associated with depression; there is even some evidence that low serotonin levels can lead to suicidal thoughts. By increasing these levels either with pharmaceuticals, exercise, foods like flax seed oil or homeopathic methods, it is believed depression sufferers can find some relief.

Prevention/Solution

• Increased serotonin can alleviate depression.

  A potential solution for raising serotonin levels is the introduction of flax seed oil to the diet. Flax seed oil is high in omega-3 and lignans. It is the omega-3 that is believed to aid in the increased serotonin levels and the alleviation of depression.

Features

• Flaxseed oil can be substituted for olive oil in dressings.

  Flax seed oil comes in two forms: as an oil and as a pill. Pills generally offer more convenience, though flax seed oil can be added to salad dressings in lieu of other oils.

Warning

• Talk to a doctor when dealing with depression.

  Though flax seed oil does seem to offer benefits to depression sufferers, those with prostate cancer should not take the oil as it seems to exacerbate the disease. It's always advisable to talk to a doctor when dealing with depression. While flax seed oil can raise serotonin levels, this may not be enough to stave off depression.

Other Tips

• Keep flaxseed oil refrigerated to prevent rancidity.

  Flax seed oil, like other oils, can become rancid over time. To increase its shelf life, buy the oil in dark brown bottles to help protect the oil from light. Also, be sure to store flax seed oil in the refrigerator.

History

• Flaxseed use dates back thousands of years.

  Though flax seed oil has gained a lot of popularity lately for its health benefits, flax and its many forms and uses date back thousands of years. It's believed that flax was first cultivated in Turkey around 6000 BC.