Many psychiatrists treat depression with drugs that raise brain levels of serotonin. A diet deficient in omega-3 fatty acids may lower brain levels of serotonin and cause depression.
Depression increases a person's chances of getting a heart attack.
So the association of depression and schizophrenia with heart attacks may be explained by both being caused by low omega- fatty acid levels. If these studies can be supported by further studies, some cases of depression may be prevented and treated by eating large amounts of deep-water fish, nuts, beans, whole grains and other seeds. Fats are classified into primarily saturated and primarily polyunsaturated fats. Fresh polyunsaturated fats are good because they help to lower cholesterol and prevent heart attacks. Some seeds, such as walnuts and flaxseeds, are particularly rich sources of omega-3s, but you don't need to eat them if you eat plenty of seeds that contain smaller amounts, such as whole grains and beans.