Nutrition & Health OnLine Magazine: Latest Research

LATEST RESEARCH

By Davey Dunn

Effect of Omega 3 Fatty Acids on Bipolar Disorder

A study done by Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School investigated whether Omega3 fatty acids may inhibit neuronal signal transduction pathways in a manner similar to that of lithium carbonate and valproate, 2 effective treatments for bipolar disorder. The present study was performed to examine whether omega3 fatty acids also exhibit mood-stabilizing properties in bipolar disorder. METHODS: A 4-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, comparing omega3 fatty acids (9.6 g/d) vs placebo (olive oil), in addition to usual treatment, in 30 patients with bipolar disorder. RESULTS: A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of the cohort found that the omega3 fatty acid patient group had a significantly longer period of remission than the placebo group (P = .002; Mantel-Cox). In addition, for nearly every other outcome measure, the omega3 fatty acid group performed better than the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Omega3 fatty acids were well tolerated and improved the short-term course of illness in this preliminary study of patients with bipolar disorder.

COMMENTARY: The positive benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids on such health problems as heart disease, cancer, skin diseases, rheumatoid arthritis have been well documented. Based on this study and some other similar studies it appears that a diet rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids can also promote mental health and aid in treating serious psychiatriac problems like bipolar disorder.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS STUDY? Do we really need any more reason for supplementing our diets with Omega 3 Fatty Acids? Now, in addition to all the other health problems that Omega 3 Fatty Acids improve, you can add improving mental health. Taking a supplement like Fish Oil or Flax Oil is a no brainer.

Stoll AL, Severus WE, Freeman MP, Rueter S, Zboyan HA, Diamond E, Cress KK, Marangell LB Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999 May;56(5):407-12

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