The most recent studies on Omega-3 have linked low fish intake to an increased incidence of psychological problems, including depression, bipolar disorders, postpartum depression, and suicidal tendencies. In a study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, researchers found that patients with manic-depressive disorder who had not responded to conventional therapy improved dramatically when given a daily four-ounce serving of fresh salmon.

I have seen my own patients respond to “salmon therapy” with great success, and with no side effects other than younger, firmer skin, greater cognitive skills, and a lifting of the black cloud of depression.

Most Americans—American women in particular—are critically deficient in these fatty acids and are aging rapidly and poorly as a consequence. These physical and psychological changes have been particularly dramatic in women who have spent years on a low-fat diet. When they come to me to deal with signs of aging, they are often already on medication to deal with anxiety or depression. As a physician, I know that psychopharmacological drugs are often necessary. However, these drugs all come with a price, and sometimes with serious side effects. Such side effects can include anything from weight gain to sexual dysfunction, from impaired memory to seizures. After twenty-eight days on the Perricone Wrinkle-Free Program, many of my patients discovered their emotional health had improved dramatically and, with the help of their physicians, they were able to reduce—and sometimes eliminate—their medications.

Are you getting enough of these vital fatty acids in your diet?