Omega-3 against depression in bipolar disorder: proven benefits
Depression in bipolar: Omega 3 supplements, a solution to markedly improve symptoms
Omega 3s are useful adjuvants in the treatment of depression associated with bipolar disorder. This was revealed by an in-depth statistical analysis of data in the scientific literature conducted by experts from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne, Australia, who published their findings in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
Omega-3 to regulate mood
Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention, control and treatment of some psychiatric disorders. Among them:
- aggressive behaviors associated with stress
- postpartum depression
- simple mood alterations
- dementia
- schizophrenia
- depression
- bipolar disorder
Studies to date have shown that there is a close correlation between depressive disorders and low Omega-3 levels: the lower the reserves of these nutrients, the more severe the symptoms of depression. Following a diet rich in these fatty acids reduces the tendency to develop disorders associated with this condition: sadness, lack of energy, anxious states, insomnia, and suicidal tendencies.
Omega-3 against bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a condition in which manic states characterized by euphoria alternate with phases of depression. Several researches have evaluated the usefulness of using Omega-3s in addition to traditional pharmacological therapies. The results obtained showed that these nutrients lead to the stabilization of disease symptoms. Prior to the publication of the University of Melbourne researchers' study, no research had evaluated the body of data collected to date. This new analysis, on the other hand, included all studies in the scientific literature of 4 weeks or longer and conducted on more than 10 patients. In all of these studies, Omega-3s were used to treat subjects diagnosed with depression or manic phase associated with bipolar disorder. Careful statistical analyses showed that Omega-3s had a significant effect on the symptoms of the depression phase of bipolar disorder. No additional benefit of adding these fatty acids to therapy against the manic phase, however, was found.
Omega-3 against depression: proven effectiveness
Results obtained by Australian researchers confirm the validity of a therapeutic approach based on combining traditional medications with the intake of omega-3 fatty acids to treat the depression that characterizes bipolar syndrome. The same data suggest that the use of these nutrients is not necessary to control the manic phases of the disorder.
Source
1. Sarris J, Mischoulon D, Schweitzer I, "Omega-3 for bipolar disorder: meta-analyses of use in mania and bipolar depression," J Clin Psychiatry. 2011 Aug 9
