Nothing fishy about it

Who would have thought aggressiveness can be linked to consumption of fish? Sounds fishy, right? Well, according to a health study, having fish can make one less aggressive as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D may control the brain chemical serotonin. We asked experts if serotonin has a link with behavioural issues.

Case in point
Sumit Gopal (name changed), aged 40 has genetic depression running in his family. Since the past one year, he would get upset on trivial reasons, would lash out at his wife on small arguments and then would get so upset and start crying. Mood swings were so predominant that he would avoid all his friends fearing that he might take things personally and get angry with  them. With the help of psychiatrist who put him on mild anti-depressants and along with therapy, Sumit, today, has shown tremendous improvement in his behaviour. He has also taken doses of vitamin D as it was very low along with healthy diet, recalls clinical psychologist and author Seema Hingorrany. She has encountered many patients in her practice who had low levels of serotonin and would exhibit symptoms like rage, mood swings and inability to control their impulses.

The study 
In a study conducted at the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) study, serotonin has been touted as the possible missing link tying together why vitamin D and marine omega-3 fatty acids might alleviate the symptoms connected with a broad range of brain disorders. 

The researchers have discussed the relevance of these micronutrients for neuropsychiatric illness. Serotonin affects a variety of cognitive functions and behaviours including decision-making, mood, impulsive behaviour and social behaviour. It also plays a role in social decision-making by keeping in check aggressive social responses or impulsive behaviour. Many clinical disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression share as a unifying attribute low brain serotonin. 

Researcher Rhonda Patrick said that they explained how serotonin is a critical modulator of executive function, impulse control, sensory gating, and pro-social behaviour and linked serotonin production and function to vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, suggesting one way these  important micronutrients help the brain function and affect the way people behave. Fellow study author Bruce Ames added that vitamin D, which is converted to a steroid hormone that controls about 1,000 genes, many in the brain, is a major deficiency in the US and omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies are very common because people don’t eat enough fish.

Expert speak
Current research has not yet identified the exact mechanism that shows how vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids control serotonin levels. However, research has suggested that there could be a possible explanation as to how vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) modulate serotonin synthesis, release and function, says psychiatrist and psychotherapist Dr Anjali Chhabria. 

“I agree with the study that omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D do help in regulating our hormones overall. Low serotonin, is many a times the main reason why people suffer from severe depression, low moods, agitated depression, high oscillatory moods fluctuations and host of other problems. It is the key hormone to keep us balanced and maintain our executive function overall,” opines Hingorrany. She adds that in fact, for patients holistic treatment they routinely get vitamin D and vitamin B12  tested.

Low levels of serotonin and other mental health issues
Hingorrany has witnessed people have pain disorders, depression, mood swings, agitated depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, fibromalgyia, bipolar disorder and anxiety due to low serotonin levels. With proper medication and therapy all these above mentioned disorders can be cured and controlled. 

Low levels of serotonin causes obsessive compulsive disorder, wherein a person suffers from recurrent/interfering/irrational thoughts and repetitive actions to counter the anxiety caused by those thoughts. It also leads to anxiety or panic, says Dr Chhabria adding that it can also cause symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, autism, depression and eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. 

Sources of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D
Animal sources: Fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, mackarel, cod liver, fish oil capsules
Plant sources: Flaxseeds, walnuts, olive oil