Omega-3 has a growing reputation as useful in alleviating some of the symptoms of several mental illnesses. A 2007 issue of the journal "Lipids in Health and Disease" reports that this reputation is well-deserved, based on the journal's review of clinical trials using omega-3 to assist in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety disorders and major depression effectively.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have low blood levels of omega-3. This has generated clinical trials supplementing omega-3 with fish oil and evening primrose oil -- both of which are rich in omega-3. A 2008 edition of "The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" reports that this supplementation has been effective in most -- but not all -- cases. MedlinePlus reports that ADHD children between 8 and 12 years have better cognitive abilities and behavior when they are supplemented with fish oil, a major source of omega-3.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders include several conditions characterized by excessive fear and phobias. Research reported in the 2008 issue of "The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" showed a relationship between omega-3 and anxiety. Omega-3 supplementation has a mild-to-moderate effect on reducing symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder and the anxiety that is related to substance abuse. Additionally, omega-3 deficits have been identified in individuals with social phobia. These early results support further research into the use of omega-3 supplementation in treating anxiety disorders.
Major Depressive Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder effects up to 11 percent of the U.S. population. According to the 2007 issue of the journal "Lipids in Health and Disease," the most convincing evidence for a relationship between omega-3 and mental illness can be found in Major Depressive Disorder. Patients with severe depression have a significant deficit in omega-3 and the journal's analysis of clinical trials revealed that a lack of omega-3 is directly related to the symptoms of severe depression. Dietary supplements of omega-3 -- along with prescription medications for depression -- appear to work better than prescription medications alone.
Possible Effects
Omega-3 is found in high concentrations in the brain and is essential to brain neuron communication. The specific way it affects symptoms of mental illness is not clear. One theory suggests that a deficiency in omega-3 interferes with the production of dopamine and serotonin. A second theory proposes that omega-3 has a direct effect on the parts of the brain which regulate mood and anxiety. Regardless of the specific chemical mechanism, Dr. Brian Ross from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine concludes that the evidence of a link was strong enough to merit continued study.
References
- "Lipids in Health and Disease"; Omega-3 Fatty Acids as Treatments for Mental Illness: Which Disorder and Which Fatty Acid; Brian M. Ross, et al.; Sept. 18, 2007 (PDF)
- "The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine"; Nutritional and Environmental Approaches to Preventing and Treating Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Luke T. Curtis, M.D.; 2008 (PDF)
- MedlinePlus: Fish Oil
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