The Omega-3 Connection: The Groundbreaking Anti-depression Diet and Brain Program (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "During the course of reading this book you will learn about exciting research into a remarkable group of natural substances: the omega-3 fatty acids..." (more)
Key Phrases: essential fatty acid deficiency syndrome, essential fatty acid status, cardiac sudden death, United States, Renewal Plan, Stone Age (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A must-read for anyone dealing with depression, The Omega-3 Connection by Andrew L. Stoll, M.D., strikes yet another blow against the standard American diet. We already know that years of noshing on highly processed foods have saddled us with sky-high rates of heart disease, obesity, and related conditions. But, as we're starting to understand now, our eating habits may also be subtly altering our brain chemistry, leaving us vulnerable to anxiety disorders and depression. Only in this case, it's not just what we're eating--it's what we're not eating: foods containing omega-3 essential fatty acids--the "good fats" that help maintain optimal brain function.

In his book, Stoll, the director of the psychopharmacology research lab at Boston's McLean Hospital and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, suggests that restoring our body's natural balance of omega-3s may help alleviate (and prevent) many types of depression--even for those who don't respond to traditional antidepressants. Omega-3s may also prove helpful with other problems, such as the inability to handle stress, memory loss, and cognitive decline. The book contains a "renewal plan" designed to help readers put Stoll's concepts into practice, recipes for omega-3-rich dishes, advice for choosing supplements, and dosages for therapeutic use.

Although Stoll is quick with the caveat that much of the research on omega-3s and brain function is still evolving, he makes a compelling case for using these fats to regulate depression and other cognitive disorders. Along with major epidemiological evidence that shows lower rates of depression in those cultures that consume a great deal of omega-3s, Stoll's own studies indicate that boosting their intake can reduce depression symptoms. And Stoll cites stacks of additional studies suggesting that omega-3s can also help with major depression, schizophrenia, and postpartum depression. Going even further, Stoll makes a strong argument that omega-3 deficiency could be contributing to rising rates of teen violence and attention deficit disorders.

Of course, depression should never be treated without physician supervision. But in laying the groundwork for the omega-3s to emerge as the next big thing in natural depression therapy, Stoll certainly gives us food for thought. --Norine Dworkin

Review

Lauren Marangell, M.D. Director of Psychopharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine Dr. Stoll, well known for his tremendous empathy and creativity, provides a clear synthesis of an important and novel concept. He translates information from a wide array of scientific disciplines into a highly readable and provocative book, with implications for many of the diseases of Western society. -- Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Free Press; 1 edition (February 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684871386
• ISBN-13: 978-0684871387
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #483,219 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

193 of 194 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Omega-3 fish oil-Irish experience, November 29, 2001

By	Dr. Edmond OFlaherty (BLACKROCK, CO. DUBLIN Ireland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I first became interested in omega-3 when I read Andrew Stoll`s article in Archives of General Psychiatry in May 99.I tried it on a patient with bipolar disorder who had intractable OCD-she worried about Aids all day long.In just a few days her OCD improved dramatically,she stopped smoking,slept well and became quite relaxed.I then read everything I could find on the subject and found Donald Rudin an interesting writer.I was delighted to see Dr Stoll had written this book and have read it a few times.I have enjoyed it more than most novels and it has been very helpful to many of my patients.I have found omega-3 useful too for several other indications,including agoraphobia,alcoholism,drug abuse,sexual abuse,schizophrenia,anxiety,depression,insomnia and withdrawal from benzodiazepines.It has opened a whole new world for me in the treatment of mental illness.Because I have been interviewed on Irish radio many people here take omega-3 and find it takes the edge off the stress of everyday living.

259 of 269 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What to expect from this book, April 6, 2002

By	Lorenzo1 "Common Sense Engineer" (Green River, WY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Omega-3 Connection: The Groundbreaking Anti-depression Diet and Brain Program (Hardcover)

Here just enough to whet your appetite.

The introduction tells several success stories and He says that many studies
show it is advantages to help with heart disease, arthritis and depression
type problems.

Chapter One; Seeking a new treatment for Bi-polar disorder
(manic-depressive) that would be similar to the known substances but without
their problems hundreds of papers came up with a molecule of Omega 3 or fish
Oil! Furthermore that Omega 3 is important to brain function and that
several Hospitals are investigating its effects.

Chapter Two; Discusses fat and oil. Significantly that Japanese with the
low rates of heart disease live in fishing villages, but the Japanese living
in farming villages suffer higher rates. And of course the Eskimos have
little heart disease. Stoll writes that the ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 is
1:1 in primitive cultures; But maybe 20:1 or 40 :1 in America. In other
words We eat too much 6 and not enough 3.

Chapter Three: Anthropology claims that of the varieties of two million
year old homonid ancestors those that ate meat and fish developed greater
brain power and tools. A diet rich in fish helped the brain develop and
during the last hundred years the brain has become smaller! I wonder where
the idea that fish is brain food came from?

Chapter Four: Omega 6 feeds Cancer, Omega 3 slows it down. Omega 3
consumption helps people lose weight.

Chapter Five: Both Baby and Mother suffer from a lack of Omega 3.

Chapter Six. Those suffering from depression have low levels of Omega 3.

Chapter Seven: A clinical trial shows significant improvement in patients
taking fish oil.

Chapter Eight. Under stress Students taking fish oil were less aggressive
than those on Soy oil.

Chapter Nine; Children and rats both suffering from Attention deficiency
disorder are found to have low levels of Omega 3.

Chapter Ten: Tests in England and India show Omega 3 helps some
schizophrenic individuals and if used with vitamins results may be better.

Chapter Eleven: Mice and Rats have better memory on Omega 3.

Chapter Twelve: There have been twenty studies of St. John's Wort done in
Germany. It should be used under Medical supervision.

Chapter Thirteen: What to eat. More fruits, vegetables and fish. Farm
raised fish from Europe have more Omega 3 than those raised in America.

Chapter Fourteen: Fish oil comes in various strengths of Omega 3, some may
be deficient. Flaxseed, purslane, walnut and perilla among others contain a
type of Omega 3, maybe not as good as fish. It is essential to take
anti-oxidants (Vitamins).
Grapes contain reservatol, Coenzyme Q10 is found in spinach, peanuts and
sardines.

Chapter Fifteen: Recipes followed by tables of useful herbs and sources and
references.

Well written book. With far more data than outlined here.
Recommended by this writer.

Lorenzo

73 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Initially skeptical of omega 3 claims, February 17, 2001

By	D. Shannon (Washington State, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was initially skeptical of Omega-3 claims as just more hype for the food supplement industry. However I read in a reputable textbook ""Biochemical and Physiological Aspects of Human Nutrition" by Martha H Stephanie that Omega3 fatty acids are now considered "essential fatty acids" and she explained why. Also the 17th edition of the Merck Manual briefly indicates that the EPA and DHA found in fish oils are essential fatty acids and recommends a ratio of 10:1 for omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids in the diet.

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential building blocks for the retina in the eye, nerve tissue, the brain and control details of the proper nutritional balance of cells in the body Since omega 6 is the primary fat in corn, soy, and safflower oils, the typical American diet contains a ratio of 10, 20 or 40 to 1 for omega 6 to omega 3. If you don't have enough omega 3 or if the ratio is too high in omega 6 there can be profound health consequences.

I bought "The Omega-3 Connection" as an authoritative source (Dr Stoll is at the Harvard Medical School" to settle my doubts. After reading this book it I think it may be the most important health book of this year( maybe this century) and is MUST reading for anyone concerned for the health of their children. I sent a copy to each of my daughters so my grandchildren can benefit from this new information.