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For free friendly advice or to order over the phone with a card call: 01772 883950
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Bipolar disorder and omega 3 oils
Have scientists been turning a blind eye to a well-known elixir that works well for other diseases and conditions? The profession has been oriented toward prescription drugs. Now, their focus appears to be widening.
In 1999, a Harvard University study generated a buzz throughout the bipolar
community with the prospect of a natural substance that worked - fish oil.
After years of being bombarded by industrial-strength pharmaceuticals and toxic
salts, people with bipolar disorder and possibly depression could possibly
look forward to a kinder and gentler treatment.
The Journal of the American Medical Association, in 1996, published a study
comparing the instance of depression between ten countries. The survey netted
startling results. Showing how the lifetime and annual rates for depression
vary widely from country to country, for example; 1.5 in every 100 adults in
Taiwan experience depression in their lifetimes while the figure is 19 for
every 100 adults in Beirut. The Lancet published, in 1998, a study which compared this data
with fish consumption, finding the higher consuming populations experienced less
depression. A study published in 2003 in the American Journal of Psychiatry
examined similar data - involving bipolar disorder and seafood consumption. A
strong correlation was again found.
Omega-3 is the working ingredient of fish oil. A
polyunsaturated fatty acid it is also found in certain plants: flaxseed, pumpkin
seed, and walnuts. According to Joseph Hibbeln, MD of the NIH, who is the author
of two fish-consumption studies: "In the last century, [Western] diets have
radically changed and we eat grossly fewer omega-3 fatty acids now. We also know
that rates of depression have radically increased by perhaps a hundred-fold."
The Harvard study that started it all in 1999 was conducted on 30 bipolar disorder patients in generally stable condition but with some history of relapse having experienced bipolar episodes within the past year prior to the study. All of the subjects, with the exception of eight, were on medications, they continued taking throughout the study.
Half of the subjects received olive oil while the other half were given 9.6 grams of fish oil capsules. The trial was to continue for none months, however, it ended after four because of the outstanding results with the Omega-3 group. The Omega-3 group stayed in remission significantly longer than the placebo group. By two months, half of the placebo group had dropped out compared to two in the fish oil group.
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For free friendly advice or to order over the phone with a card call: 01772 883950
Omega 3 fish oils Pure EPA is available exclusively from mind 1st.
Mind1st Information Line: 01772 883950
© 2010 www.mind1st.co.uk fish oil | Terms