Posted by Lao Tzu on July 17, 2008, at 11:07:04
I'm beginning to think that perhaps the essential fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6) are quite important for good mental health, especially if you are bipolar or schizophrenic. I've been taking fish oil and borage oil for the past two months with my regular medication, and I've found that my mood, energy, and depression is much improved. Just like with psychiatric meds, it may take a few weeks to get used to the essential fatty acids being in your body, and also the dosing of each is important. You need a balance of both omega-3s and omega-6s, and I've found that they only work if both are taken, not just one or the other. What seems to happen with bipolar/schizophrenics is that the turnover of fatty acids is very high and they become deficient, and so symptoms of depression, low energy, and low mood become more apparent. I read somewhere that bipolar/schizophrenics have lower levels of linoleic acid (found in borage oil) and lowers levels of DHA (found in fish oil). I don't know how valid this statement is, however. Most sources say that bipolar/schizophrenics are more highly deficient in omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) than they are with omega-6 fatty acids, and so all the vitamin marketers out there only push the omega-3 fatty acids in their sales campaigns and say little about the importance of omega-6 fatty acids as well. They are both important, at least for me, and need to be taken at a proper ratio, anywhere from a 1:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 or at most, a 4:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3. Essential fatty acids are very important because they affect all kinds of cellular reactions and even neurotransmitters. Remember, a balance is absolutely necessary. Too much of one and too little of the other may throw you off. Some people need higher dosages of fish oil (omega-3) than others to stabilize mood, especially if they aren't already on some kind of prescription mood stabilizer. Scientists have seen that about 1,000mg of EPA (one of the fatty acids in fish oil) has superior, optimal results for a lot of bipolars. DHA (the other fatty acid in fish oil) seems to be less important, but still important for cellular structure and not so much function like the EPA. As far as omega-6 fatty acids, scientists have seen that there are lower levels of linoleic acid and arachadonic acid in bipolars/schizophrenics, which is why I also supplement with borage oil (Source Naturals Brand or NOW brand). The combination of fish oil and borage oil help me with mood, depression, and energy, but like I said, some bipolars and schizophrenics may do just fine taking only fish oil for the omega-3 and may not need additional omega-6 oils. I've found that taking too much omega-6 oils without supplementing with omega-3 oils only complicates the depression, so they both seem important.
poster:Lao Tzu
thread:840162
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20080612/msgs/840162.html