Postpartum depression usually occurs because a woman’s body gave up the oils in her brain so the baby could make its brain. That is nicely self-sacrificing, but women need to eat more fish so their brain will recover.
To prevent or treat postpartum depression: 1. Take fish oil in an amount of 1 to 2 teaspoons a day during pregnancy and 1 tablespoon a day afterwards until depression lifts. 2. Take bioidentical progesterone (from a holistic physician).3. Optimize thyroid hormone with prescription for Armour thyroid — even if blood levels are “normal.”
4. Walk at least 30 minutes a day outside in the sun.
In an eight-week, randomized, dose-ranging pilot trial involving 16 mothers with postpartum depression, supplementation with fish oil was very helpful. Subjects were randomized into 3 groups that received varying dosages of omega-3 fatty acids. Six subjects consumed 0.5 grams per day, 3 subjects consumed 1.4 grams per day, and 7 subjects consumed 2.8 grams per day. For all 3 groups, the depression scores dropped by around 50 percent.
In another study, 24 women with major depression during pregnancy were given fish oil (approximately 1 tsp) or placebo for eight weeks. The fish oil was significantly more effective than placebo. A third large, multi-country observational study of postpartum depression found that eating more seafood was associated with a lower risk of postpartum depression.