Omega-3

In a preliminary study, manic-depressive patients given omega-3 fatty acid had significantly longer remissions and performed better on four symptom-severity scales than the placebo group, according to an article in this month%u2019s issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

These are posts written by members of the About Bipolar Disorder Forum Community about their personal experiences with using the nutritional supplement Omega-3 in the treatment of their manic-depressive illness.

Leslie writes that taking a high dose of Omega-3s each day has made a big difference in her life both mentally and physically.

Health-conscious consumers have long been vexed by whether the health benefits of seafood outweigh the risks from toxic substances, such as mercury. Now, two large federally-funded studies have weighed the evidence and reached a definitive conclusion: Eat fish.

The link between omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular health is well documented. Less well known, however, but perhaps equally as important, is new research showing that persons with bipolar disorder, depression, even schizophrenia, may see significant improvements in symptoms with increased omega-3 consumption.

This article is an overview of epidemiological and treatment studies suggesting that deficits in dietary-based omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may make an etiological contribution to mood disorders and that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may provide a therapeutic strategy.

In a preliminary study, manic-depressive patients given omega-3 fatty acid had significantly longer remissions and performed better on four symptom-severity scales than the placebo group, according to an article in this month’s issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Researchers at Baylor are now studying omega-3 fatty acids, also known as fish oil, as a possible treatment for bipolar disorder because the acids seem to react similarly in the brain.