Fish Oil for depression in Bipolar Disorder
"The results in favour of fish oil was obvious. It was considered unethical to continue with olive oil, as fish oil might cure depression"
This was the first ever double-blind plabeco-controlled study performed to examine whether omega3 fatty acids also exhibit mood-stabilizing properties in bipolar disorder.
A four-month follow-up compared omega-3 fatty acids (9.6 g*/d, 14 capsules) vs placebo (olive oil), in addition to usual treatment, in 30 patients with bipolar disorder.
Out of a total of 15 patients, 11 improved considerably, as compared to only six out of 20 in the placebo group. 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.
The investigators concluded that omega3 fatty acids were well tolerated and improved the short-term course of illness in this preliminary study of patients with bipolar disorder. The study was stopped before all patients recruited had taken their 4-month programme, as the results in favour of fish oil was obvious. It was considered unethical to continue with olive oil, as fish oil might cure depression. So, the rest of the olive oil group was supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega3 fatty acids may inhibit neuronal signal transduction pathways in manner similar to that of lithium carbonate and valproate, 2 effective treatments for bipolar disorder.
Stoll AL, Severus WE, Freeman MP, Rueter S, Zboyan HA, Diamond E, et al. Omega 3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder: a preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999;56(5):407-12. (Medline)
Harvard Group - Feb 20, 2005
First Vitality Note:
We believe the dosage given in this trial was 9.6g of Omega 3 daily. This is a high dosage and a supplement such as Omax3 would be suitable due to its purity (91% Omega3 - 2 capsules provide an amazing 1500mg of Omega EPA/DHA) and low levels of the contaminants associated with Omega 3 supplementation. However, always discus with your doctor before taking such high levels of Omega 3.
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