New evidence has determined that postpartum depression could be the result of mothers being deficient in omega-3. While pregnant, a mother’s omega-3s are transferred to the fetus and later, the baby while breastfeeding. The infant receives the maternal omega-3s causing the mother to be deficient for at least 6 weeks postpartum. A diet low in omega fats are also linked to the decreased levels in women.
“The literature shows that there could be a link between pregnancy, omega-3 and the chemical reaction that enables serotonin, a mood regulator, to be released into our brains.” –Gabriel Shapiro, University of Montreal and the Research Centre at the Sainte-Justine Mother and Child Hospital
