bipolar trials
If you have lost your zest for life, then chances are that you are deficient in essential fatty acids necessary for regulating the state of encouragement and for the efficient functioning of the brain. It is now well documented that insufficient Omega 3 fatty acids in the diet not only leads to greater risk of developing health problems like heart disease and atherosclerosis, but also for mood and related learning disorders.
Studies show that people who suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, ADD, postnatal depression, premenstrual syndrome, dyslexia and the mood of many other disorders related to learning and have low levels of Omega 3 essential fatty acids in the blood. High levels of the equally essential, but more abundant omega 6 fatty acids also have been found. This imbalance can be very debilitating for some, or it could simply mean low mood, inability to concentrate and focus, irritability and a general feeling of discomfort for others.
Over the past 70 years that have dramatically increased our consumption Omega 6 and almost destroyed our consumption of Omega 3 and the reality is that the staggering few of us are getting enough Omega 3 you need. Fish oil contains Omega 3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both of which are vital for healthy brain development and function. Putting aside the physical health problems, those of us who have low levels of Omega 3 are more likely to adopt a negative outlook on life, to behave impulsively and to feel depressed, according to researchers from the University of Pittsburgh.
It is logical that if you increase the intake of omega 3 in the form of fish oil, then we might be able to improve mood and reduce, eliminate or prevent many of the symptoms associated with lack of these fatty acids. And this is exactly what researchers have found.
What the research Saysa …
 • Depending a study conducted by Lawrence Whalley, a professor of mental health at the University of Aberdeen, fish oil appears to help the brain to work faster, increases scores IC and slows the aging process by reducing inflammation.
 • Durham trials led by Dr Madeleine Portwood have shown that oil fish with high EPA content improves the performance, concentration and learning that results in better grades in school.  • University of Adelaide, oil also used high-EPA fish, claimed to be an effective treatment for ADHD.
 • Research conducted by Dr. Andrew Stoll examined the effect of Omega 3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder and found that fish oil reduces the severity of symptoms.
 • Hibbeln et al found a direct relationship between fish consumption and lower risk of developing postnatal depression and that the investigation covered 22 countries.
 • A study conducted in Italy by Fontani et al concluded that supplementation with Omega 3 improves cortical processing complex with improved mood and a reduction of anger, anxiety and depression
These examples represent only a fraction of the studies, but that show how fish oil can be effective in positively influencing mood and mental functioning.
However, it conducted one of the largest studies to date on the effect Omega 3 fatty acids on depression by Malcolm Peet at the University of Sheffield, who found that ethyl-EPA, highly concentrated and purified form of fatty Omega 3 EPA, it dramatically reduces depression. He, along with a growing number of others now believe that the EPA is the fatty acid primarily responsible profound effect on mood and brain function and no DHA as once thought.
EPA versus DHA
While we need both EPA and DHA alike, as Ralph Holman, an expert on fatty acids once said, "is the structure of DHA and EPA is function." We need DHA for proper development the brain during pregnancy and through the first years of life, but the rest of the time we need from the EPA for the brain to function effectively. Some research have also indicated that the presence of DHA may actually interfere with the beneficial properties of EPA and it is somewhat less effective than fish oil containing very top of the EPA.
How does the EPA
Nobody knows yet exactly how EPA works, but is believed to reduce inflammation, thin the blood, increase serotonin levels and improve blood flow to the brain leading to increased interconnection of neural networks. EPA and other fatty acids we consume, compete to become eicosanoids. These hormone-like compounds are pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory, depending on the type of fatty acids acid dominated in the period, for example, Omega 3 and Omega 6.
As EPA is constantly being used so to speak, we must renew our supplies in order to inhibit the overproduction of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, which are known to put us at increased risk of depression and other health problems. Conclusion
Fish oil can not be a panacea for mental health problems, but there is no doubt that supplementation with fish oil rich in EPA has the ability to improve mental functioning and to make a big difference in the symptoms associated with mood-related conditions such as depression.
Copyright 2006 David McEvoy
Dave mcevoy is an award winning personal trainer with over 20 years experience; he also owns high quality health supplement websites that sell high grade omega 3 fish oil epa.
Bi-Polar? Naaaah… A Response to “I’m Going through the Valley”
