A Lifetime of Good Health

Lifestage 2 (Teens Years)

[ Teens, 20s and 30s | Teen Years | Twenties and Thirties | Health Protection ]

Menstruation - A study in Cincinnati, USA, among adolescents with symptoms of dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) found that the use of fish-oil supplementation reduced the symptoms considerably. The girls who were receiving the Fish Oil capsules had much less pain and discomfort than those being treated with dummy capsules.

Aggression, depression and suicide - Rates of suicide are highest among young men. Interesting work in the United States indicates a possible role for the Omega-3 fatty acids. People who have low concentrations of 5HIAA serotonin are especially prone to suicidal and impulsive behaviour. Researchers found that low concentrations of DHA in the plasma correlated to low concentrations of 5HIAA in cerebrospinal fluid. This finding is important because 5HIAA predicts serotonin levels, and serotonin is key to the biochemistry of depression, suicide and violence. Studies with depressed patients have shown lower than average blood levels of the Omega-3s and a study with severely depressed patients showed dramatic improvements when they were treated with Fish Oil.