Docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid are omega-3 fatty acids that are necessary for nerve function and healthy cell membranes. DHA and EPA also play a role in improving brain function, and as a result might help patients with mood disorders.
Bipolar Disorder
Scientists from Harvard Medical School examined the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on patients with bipolar disorder, a condition characterized by extreme mood swings. Patients were assigned to receive 9.6 g of omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo containing olive oil for four months. Researchers reported in the May 1999 issue of "Archives of General Psychiatry" that the omega-3 fatty acid group was significantly less likely to suffer mood swings compared to the placebo group.
Depression
Researchers from China Medical College Hospital in Taiwan studied the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on patients suffering from depression. Participants consumed 6.6 g of omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo every day for eight weeks. Scientists discovered that the subjects in the omega-3 fatty acid group experienced decreases in their scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, a measurement for severity of depression, compared to the placebo group. Their findings were published in the August 2003 issue of the journal "European Neuropsychopharmacology."
Borderline Personality Disorder
In research reported in the January 2003 issue of the "American Journal of Psychiatry," researchers from McLean Hospital investigated the effects of EPA for the treatment of borderline personality disorder. For eight weeks, participants consumed 1 g of EPA or a placebo. Scientists found that the EPA group lowered their aggression and depressive symptoms compared to the placebo group.
Interactions
Certain medications, including etretinate and topical steroids, cholesterol and blood thinning medications, may interact with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center website.
References
- "Archives of General Psychiatry"; Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Bipolar Disorder: A Preliminary Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial; A.L. Stoll et al.; May 1999
- "European Neuropsychopharmacology"; Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Major Depressive Disorder. A Preliminary Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial; K.P. Su et al.; August 2003
- "American Journal of Psychiatry"; Omega-3 Fatty Acid Treatment of Women with Borderline Personality Disorder: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study; M.C. Zanarini and F.R. Frankenburg; January 2003
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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