Omega 3 Fatty-Acids And Bipolar Disorder

Category: Conditions of the Brain

A study published in the online Nutrition Journal of BioMed Central in February looked at the effect of Omega 3 Fatty acid supplementation in individuals with Bipolar disorder.

This was an open label study aimed at finding any effect that supplementation with Omega 3 fatty acids may have on the symptom of irritability in Bipolar disorder. Previous studies had found positive effects in patients with depression.

The participants in the study were all enrolled in a Mood Disorder clinic. Their symptoms of irritability had not previously responded to conventional pharmacological and psychological treatment. They received a low dose of Omega 3 fatty acids (1-2 grams per day). The frequency and severity of irritability in the ten days preceding the trial were compared to the baseline and end of the trial.

The study found that supplementation with Omega 3 fatty acids in patients with bipolar disorder decreased both the frequency and severity of irritability. It concluded that a low dose of Omega 3 fatty acids is a beneficial addition to any treatment protocol for individuals suffering from Bipolar disorder, especially when irritability is a significant symptoms complaint. The authors suggest that Omega 3 fatty-acid supplementation may also benefit other clinical conditions such as schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder that commonly present with irritability. However, more research is necessary.

Posted by on November 15, 2008 10:00 AM