Depression is the most common serious brain disease in the US, affecting more than 23 million adults each year. A lack of omega-3 may be a significant cause, but an excess of omega-6 -- prevalent in our modern diets -- may have even more to do with it!

You would have to be living under a rock not to be aware of the health benefits of omega-3 for heart health, for joint health and for cognitive function.

The best natural sources of omega-3 include oily fish (salmon, sardines, and mackerel), flaxseed oils and nuts. Unfortunately, higher levels of omega-6 are more frequently consumed because of our intake of meat, eggs, poultry, cereals, breads, baked good, vegetable oils, and margarine.

However, when depressed animals' brains are checked, it is found they have significantly higher concentrations of arachidonic acid, a metabolite of omega-6.

Increased intake of omega-3 fatty acid can shift the balance between the two fatty acid families in the brain.

Eggs produced by chickens fed an omega-3 rich diet are available.

Source: Journal of Lipid Research June 2005.