Keen Cuisine: Happiness Without Herring  Veggie Fish  The bodily
benefits of vegetarianism have long been known. Less meat
typically means less saturated fat and more antioxidants, which
leads to improved heart health. But the impact of vegetarianism
on mental functioning is less clear. Nutritionist Bonnie
Beezhold at Arizona State University surmised that vegetarians
have impaired mood, since most consume no fish and have
extremely low levels of DHA and EPA, omega-3 fatty acids
critical to brain cell function. But she found quite the
opposite. Vegetarians who had low levels of omega-3s were happy
campers, reporting fewer negative mood states than omnivores.
The meager EPA and DHA furnished by their vegetarian diets is
adequate as long as they consume significant amounts of ALA, or
alpha-linolenic acid, found in many plant oils. Under the right
conditions, the body can convert some of it into EPA.
Vegetarians can load up on ALA by eating flaxseeds, pumpkin
seeds, and walnuts.  Fish Wish  Because of their role