Eating More Of This Nutrient Lowers Depression Risk Up To 33%, Study Shows
Key takeaways
- That’s why researchers continue to look beyond medication and therapy alone, exploring nutritional factors that might quietly impact mental health.
- Omega-3s are already well known for supporting brain and heart health, lowering inflammation, and promoting longevity.
- Here’s what the research found, and why it matters.
Why this matters: practical guidance grounded in recent research or expert insight.
Author: Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDNMay 01, 2026Registered Dietitian Nutritionist By Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDNRegistered Dietitian Nutritionist Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Texas Christian University and a master’s in nutrition interventions, communication, and behavior change from Tufts University. She lives in Newport Beach, California, and enjoys connecting people to the food they eat and how it influences health and wellbeing.Image by Yuliya Taba / iStockMay 01, 2026Depression and anxiety now affect hundreds of millions of people1 worldwide. That’s why researchers continue to look beyond medication and therapy alone, exploring nutritional factors that might quietly impact mental health. Omega-3 fats in particular may have a protective effect.
Omega-3s are already well known for supporting brain and heart health, lowering inflammation, and promoting longevity. Past research has also linked higher omega-3 intake with better mood outcomes. Now, a large new study adds to that evidence, finding that people with higher omega-3 levels were less likely to have depression or anxiety.
Here’s what the research found, and why it matters.