Omega-3 Against Depression in Bipolar Disorder: Proven Benefits
Depression in bipolar disorder: Omega-3 supplements, a solution to significantly improve symptoms
Omega 3 are useful adjuncts in the treatment of depression associated with bipolar disorder. This is revealed by a thorough statistical analysis of data available in the scientific literature conducted by experts from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne (Australia), who published their results in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
Omega-3 to regulate mood
Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Omega-3 fatty acids in preventing, controlling, and treating certain psychiatric disorders. These include:
- stress-associated aggressive behaviors
- postpartum depression
- simple mood alterations
- dementia
- schizophrenia
- depression
- bipolar disorder
Studies conducted so far have shown a close correlation between depressive disorders and low levels of Omega-3: 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, anxiety states, insomnia, and suicidal tendencies.
Omega-3 against bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a condition where manic states characterized by euphoria alternate with depressive phases. Several studies have evaluated the usefulness of Omega-3 in addition to traditional pharmacological therapies. The results showed that these nutrients lead to stabilization of the disease symptoms. Before the publication of the Melbourne researchers’ study, no research had analyzed the overall data collected to date. This new analysis included all studies in the scientific literature lasting 4 weeks or more and conducted on more than 10 patients. In all these studies, Omega-3s were used to treat subjects diagnosed with depression or manic phases associated with bipolar disorder. Accurate statistical analyses demonstrated that Omega-3 have a significant effect on the symptoms of the depressive phase of bipolar disorder. No further benefit was found in adding these fatty acids to the therapy for the manic phase.
Omega-3 against depression: proven effectiveness
The results obtained by the Australian researchers confirm the validity of a therapeutic approach based on the combination of traditional drugs with Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation to treat depression characterizing bipolar syndrome. The data also 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
