1. Brittany Northcutt
Current Trends in Nutrition Assignment
Brittany Northcutt
Maxwell/Myers
27 September 2015
Current Trends in Nutrition Assignment
The article “Eating More Fish Linked to Lower Risk of Depression”, was found
when I searched the topic of “health in 2015”. The target audience is for anyone that eats
fish. There was a 20% outcome of lowering the risk of depression for men that ate fish
compared to women. Studies just show that there is a slightly lower risk of depression for
people that ate more fish. Everyone should eat fish or take a supplement in order to get
the correct nutrients they need on a daily basis. These nutrients include vitamins and
minerals such as omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D, Vitamin B-12, calcium, phosphorus,
iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium and potassium. Higher fish consumption is what is
recommended for males and females. It is currently not clear why eating fish may lower
the risk of depression or what type of fish is the best. I think that this could be true. Fish
contains a lot of omega-3 fatty acids that is needed every day according to MyPlate. Fish
is good for your diet and if it helps with the risk of depression, that is another bonus as
well.
I agree with the article. More fish consumption on a daily basis is good for
everyone. If there are studies that show decreased depression as well, then that is even
more of a benefit. Fish is not cheap and most people do not like the taste of it. Even
though most people do not eat fish, it does contain less fat and is a good protein source.
For those that do not eat fish, one can also purchase the supplement, which has the
necessary vitamins and minerals in it as well. “It could also be that other fatty acids in
fish modify the activity of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which are
thought to be involved in depression, the researchers said”. 1 The maximum fish

2. Brittany Northcutt
Current Trends in Nutrition Assignment
consumption will help no matter what. Whether it is for lowering the risk of depression or
getting the vitamins and minerals that are recommended.
“In a study of nine countries, Hibbeln (1998) demonstrated a significant
correlation between high annual fish consumption and lower prevalence of major
depression”.2 The aging population is always changing with their health and dietary
needs. For those that already have depression, fish supplements were recommended to
see if it would reverse the side effects. There are no studies completed at this time that
show whether it worked or not. They are still progressing with as much research as they
can at this time. Nothing is known for sure but studies are always being performed to
receive as much information as possible.
Citations
1. Blaszczak-Boxe, Agata. Eating more fish linked to lower depression.
http://www.livescience.com/52143-eating-fish-depression-risk.html. Published
September 15, 2015. Accessed September 28, 2015.
2. Ruxton, C. S. The benefits of fish consumption. Nutrition Bulletin. 2011;36(1):6-19.