Depression is more common than you may think. The World Health Organization estimates that 350 million people of all ages suffer from depression all over the world. According to a report from the Examiner, there may be a simple dietary alternative to psychiatric drugs that can cause potentially dangerous side effects for treating depression.

A study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health suggests that a high consumption of fish oil can significantly reduce the risk of depression. Since the condition affects so many people around the world, fish may be a simple way to cut down the risk of the second most common disease on the planet.

Fish oil can help prevent depression in men and women with equal success. Researchers reported a 17 percent drop in the risk of depression in survey respondents who said they ate a diet high in fish.

Scientists believe that omega 3 fatty acids, which are abundant in many common fish like salmon, can help change the structure of brain membranes while affecting the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, both of which affect overall mood.

Fish are also rich in high quality proteins, minerals, and vitamins that have been linked to strong mental health. While increased fish consumption obviously won’t solve everybody’s problems, it is worth further examination. If the food were more definitively shown to have antidepressive qualities, it could be recommended across the globe to improve mental health.