relapse rate bipolar disorder
Some preliminary studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids can help stabilize mood. Alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid are well known essential fatty acids. It is essential because they are necessary for life and can not do in our own body. We must ensure that foods or supplements diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids is found in canola oil, soybeans, wheat germ, flaxseed, walnuts and fish as well as many other food. The specific health benefits attributed to omega-3 fatty acids, including their effects on mood disorders, have been especially two derivatives:
· Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
· Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
These two derivatives are less abundant in our modern diet. The most concentrated source is oily fish, especially salmon, tuna and mackerel. The diet is high in saturated fat from animal products and oils partially hydrogenated vegetable but rather poor in polyunsaturated fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids, and in particular, fish oils are the main source of EPA and DHA. evidence is not yet available on the proportion of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the diet in relation to mood disorders.
Interesting also is that there is some evidence of an association between omega-6/omega-3 unbalanced diet and heart disease that occurs at a rate much higher than average among people who suffer from depression. It is apparent that both types of polyunsaturated fats improve cholesterol balance the body and reduce the rate of disease heart.
There have been two large studies provide direct evidence that fish eaters are less likely to become depressed. The correlations shown that low omega-3 fatty acid consumption is a "cause" of depression mainly because there are other factors that may influence the onset of the depression. These factors include:
· Hereditary characteristics
· Cultural differences
· Economic differences
It's good to know that those of us who like fish may help prevent bouts of depression. The real cause of depressive episodes involves many more variables.
An experiment suggests a mixture of EPA and DHA may be useful in the treatment of bipolar disorder. The study showed that patients are less likely to relapse and scored better on most tests for depressive symptoms when they took daily supplements containing EPA (6.2 g) and DHA (3.4 g) plus their usual mood stabilizing drugs. only complaints were a fishy taste and some occasional minor stomach discomfort. In the experiment, supplements were more effective for depressive episodes than manic episodes. Some doctors reported episodes of mania or hypomania (a mild form of mania), that were possibly induced by omega-3 fatty acids, however, many patients also were taking flaxseed oil, which consists primarily ALA. It is suggested that perhaps the amount of EPA and DHA produced by the body ALA is adequate for normal health, but may not be sufficient to prevent bipolar swings.
No one knows how "high doses of omega-3 fatty acids work to relieve the symptoms of mood. It could be that behave as specific serotonin – reuptake inhibitors of serotonin (SSRI) antidepressant drugs that increase the availability of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the spaces between neurons. Another theory is that omega-3 fatty acids work in a manner similar to the mood stabilizer lithium. lithium, but not the drug of choice today for bipolar illness, it works by altering signal transduction, chemical processes that occur inside a neuron when a spring neurotransmitter receptors on their surface.
Of course, there is much research to do before anyone can say definitively "high doses of omega-3 fatty acids work to relieve the symptoms of mood and that a nutrient antidepressant has been discovered.
It suggests that eating fish at least twice a week, especially salmon, sardines, tuna and mackerel. A dietary supplement of fish oil supplement quality is also useful, however, before beginning any dietary supplement, consult your health professional about their use for you.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. It is recommended to always seek the advice of a health professional for any health problem.
Source: Omega-3 fatty acids in treating depression. Harvard Mental Health Letter [serial online]. October 2001, 18 (2): 4. Available at: MAS Ultra – School Edition Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 16, 2008.
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