ANSWER

Omega 3 fatty acids play an important role in the development and function of the central nervous system. The three main omega-3 fatty acids to human functioning are α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). ALA is an essential fatty acid which cannot be synthesized by mammals and must acquire from plant-based oils such as seeds, nuts, leafy vegetables (Polokowski et al., 2018).

Journals/ Studies

DHA/ ALA	Findings/Descriptions	References
Multivitamin/Minerals and DHA	DHA decreased the display of aggressive behavior and impulsivity, while multivitamin and mineral supplement decreased perceived stress.	Long & Benton (2013)
DHA	DHA reduced perceived stress and lower levels of stress hormones in pregnant women living in urban low-income environments in the third trimester	Keenan et al. (2014)
EPA + DHA + other omega-3 fatty acids	Reduce depressive and stress symptoms measured with HDRS in 42 patients	Gertsik et al. (2012)
EPA + DHA	Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA + DHA) naturally-derived a promising therapeutic tool for depressive, stress and anxiety treatment	Bozzatello et al. (2016)
DHA	DHA a good natural for anti-depressant as it enhances brain to utilize various chemicals and can turn on the genes that make serotonin (reduces depression, anxiety, more calmer and focused)	(Singh, 2016)
DHA	Essential fatty acids (DHA) reduce perceived stress and salivary cortisol levels during pregnancy, anxiety in premenstrual women and during menopause	McCabe et al. (2017)
ALA and Long-chain Omega-3 (LCn3)	LCn3 and ALA protect against depression and anxiety in select individuals for specific genetic, dietary and/or metabolic characteristics	Deane et al., 2019
ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid)	Treatment with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) after CCI (controlled cortical impact injury) prevents the development of anxiety-like behavior and potent therapy against the neuropathology and pathophysiological effects of TBI (Traumatic brain injury)	Figueiredo et al., 2017
Omega-3 (ALA)	Omega-3 fatty acids (specially alpha-linolenic acid, ALA) prevent anxiety, depression and mood elevation problems during pregnancy	Khalua et al., 2019
Omega-3 fatty acid (ALA)	Eating two servings of fatty fish per week, in addition to ALA-rich foods such as flax seed, walnuts and canola oil to counteract stress induced changes to mood, cognition, and physiological stress response	Giles et al., 2015
Alpha-linoleic acid (ALA)	A stable psychotropic medication using alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) in flax seed oil demonstrated a significant improvement of overall symptom children and adolescents with bipolar I or II disorder  (mood elevation, stress, depression)	Gracious et al., 2010
Alpha-linoleic acid (ALA)	Curing anxiety, stress and depression due to insomnia by having flaxseeds as it richest source of Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)	Verma & Mishra, 2014
Omega‐3 fatty acids (α‐Linolenic acid) and  Polyphenols from flax seed	Omega‐3 fatty acids (α‐Linolenic acid) and  Polyphenols from flax seed decreased cortisol (blood) and reduce chronic mild stress (CMS ) symptoms such as depression and negatively alter behavioral	Naveen et al., 2013
Omega-3 PUFAs: (EPA), (DHA), and precursor, Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).	Prevention in mental disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders	Su et al., 2015
Omega-3: (EPA), (DHA), (ALA).	Prevention in and treatment of anxiety disorders	Polokowski et al., 2018).

 

References

Bozzatello, P., Brignolo, E., De Grandi, E., & Bellino, S. (2016). Supplementation with Omega-3 fatty acids in psychiatric disorders: a review of literature data. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 5(8), 67. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm5080067

Deane, K. H. O., Jimoh, O. F., Biswas, P., O’Brien, A., Hanson, S., Abdelhamid, A. S., Hooper, L. (2019). Omega-3 and polyunsaturated fat for prevention of depression and anxiety symptoms: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 1–8.  https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2019.234

Figueiredo, T. H., Harbert, C. L., Pidoplichko, V., Almeida-Suhett, C. P., Pan, H., Rossetti, K., … Marini, A. M. (2017). Alpha-Linolenic Acid Treatment Reduces the Contusion and Prevents the Development of Anxiety-Like Behavior Induced by a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats. Molecular Neurobiology, 55(1), 187–200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-017-0732-y

Gertsik, L., Poland, R. E., Bresee, C., & Rapaport, M. H (2012). Omega-3 fatty acid augmentation of citalopram treatment for patients with major depressive disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 32, 61–64. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCP.0b013e31823f3b5f

Giles, G. E., Mahoney, C. R., Urry, H. L., Brunyé, T. T., Taylor, H. A., & Kanarek, R. B. (2015). Omega-3 fatty acids and stress-induced changes to mood and cognition in healthy individuals. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 132, 10–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2015.02.018

Gracious, B.L., Chirieac, M.C., Costescu, S., Finucane, T.L., Youngstrom, E.A., & Hibbeln, J.R. Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of flax oil in pediatric bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disorder Journal, 12(2), 142–154. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-5618.2010.00799.x

Keenan, K., Hipwell, A. E., Bortner, J., Hoffmann, A., & McAloon, R. (2014). Association between fatty acid supplementation and prenatal stress in African Americans: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 124(6), 1080–1087. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000000559

Khalua, R. K., Tewari, S., & Mondal, R. (2019). A review on effect of nutrient on anxiety and depression during pregnancy and its management by foods. Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 6(5).

Long, S. J., & Benton, D. (2013). A double-blind trial of the effect of docosahexaenoic acid and vitamin and mineral supplementation on aggression, impulsivity, and stress. Journal of Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, 28(3), 238–247. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2313

McCabe, D., Lisy, K., Lockwood, C., & Colbeck, M. (2017). The impact of essential fatty acid, B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium and zinc supplementation on stress levels in women: a systematic review. JBI Database System Reviews & Implementation Reports, 15(2), 402-453. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBISRIR-2016-002965

Naveen, S., Siddalingaswamy, M., Singsit, D., & Khanum, F. (2013). Anti-depressive effect of polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acid from pomegranate peel and flax seed in mice exposed to chronic mild stress. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 67(7), 501–508. https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.12100

Polokowski, A. R., Shakil, H., Carmichael, C. L., & Reigada, L. C. (2018). Omega-3 fatty acids and anxiety: A systematic review of the possible mechanisms at play. Nutritional Neuroscience, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415x.2018.1525092

Singh, K. (2016). Nutrient and stress management. Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences. 6 (4). https://doi.org/10.4172/2155-9600.1000528

Su, K. P., Matsuoka, Y., & Pae, C. U. (2015). Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Prevention of Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Clinical psychopharmacology and neuroscience : the official scientific journal of the Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 13(2), 129–137. https://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2015.13.2.129

Verma, P., & Mishra, S. (2014).  Flaxseed: Functional Food Components & Therapeutic Role. Journal of Medical Science and Clinical Research, 2(9), 2274-2282.