Bipolar fish oil

Can It Help? I Psych Central

Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that may help manage symptoms of mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder has several possible causes. One is the way your immune system may cause brain inflammation.

Researchers believe that fish oil activates anti-inflammatory mechanisms. This can lead to improvements in both physical and mental health.

Including fish in your diet several times per week is one way to get valuable omega-3 fatty acids. Another way is to try a fish oil supplement containing DHA and EPA.

Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition that features extreme changes in mood. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), bipolar disorder affects around 4.4% of US adults.

The mood shifts of bipolar disorder aren’t your fault or something you can “try harder” to change. There are genetic, biological, and environmental factors that impact the way your brain regulates mood.

But there’s a range of effective treatments for bipolar disorder. The combined approach of medication and therapy is often successful.

Including omega-3 supplements as part of your treatment might also help. If you want to try fish oil, it’s recommended that you discuss it with your doctor first.

There’s evidence that suggests the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may help with mood disorders and other mental health conditions.

A 2015 study found that fish consumption might help prevent depression.
A 2017 study examined the link between inflammation and major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder. Researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids may work alone (monotherapy) or with other treatments (adjunct therapy) to help people living with MDD and bipolar disorder.
A 2015 case study of a young girl with bipolar disorder found that 2 years of omega-3 supplementation resulted in significant and sustained improvement in manic, psychosis, and depressive symptoms.
A 2020 trial found that DHA supplementation resulted in improved cognitive performance in emotion inhibition — having difficulty expressing spontaneous emotion — in people with bipolar disorder.

Results are mixed, though. A 2020 study with adolescents found that fish oil wasn’t any better than a placebo for easing depressive symptoms. But it was safe, well-tolerated, and rated higher by mental health professionals for improving global symptoms.

Omega-3 fatty acids like docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) originate in phytoplankton. The fish that feed on phytoplankton provide dietary or supplemental sources of these fatty acids.

DHA and EPA affect the brain in several different ways. They’re involved in functions related to:

neuroinflammation
neurotransmission
neurogenesis

There’s evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may help regulate the neuroinflammation that can contribute to bipolar disorder.

A 2016 review of 17 clinical studies found low levels of omega-3 fatty acids in symptomatic bipolar disorder. The review also found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was successful in treating depression or mania in five out of five trials.

Omega-3 fatty acids may also play a part in neurotransmission receptor function. A 2015 study involving rats found that fish oil supplements impacted hippocampal receptors and had an antidepressant-like effect.

Omega-3 fatty acids also help new neurons form by changing cell membrane fluidity so that serotonin can work more effectively. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that can stimulate the growth of new neurons.

The best source of omega-3 fatty acids is fish. Unlike a fish oil supplement, fish contains other beneficial ingredients such as protein and vitamins.

You can still benefit from a fish oil supplement though if it has both DHA and EPA.

It’s OK to take fish oil at any time of the day since the effects aren’t immediate. It can take weeks before you notice the benefits of fish oil supplementation.

If you take fish oil with a meal containing fat, this can increase the effectiveness and bioavailability of the omega-3 fatty acids.

Fish oil may slow blood clotting. Consider consulting with a healthcare or mental health professional before taking fish oil supplements if you take anticoagulant medication, or if you have an upcoming surgery.

People with seafood allergies may not be able to take fish oil supplements.

There’s conflicting information about long-chain omega-3s and prostate cancer. Research shows an elevated chance with higher omega-3 blood levels, but a reduced chance with frequent dietary consumption of seafood, and no link with dietary omega-3 intake.

Fish oil may have side effects, although they’re usually mild. These can include:

diarrhea
heartburn
headache
nausea
unpleasant taste
bad breath
unpleasant odor in sweat

It’s also possible that fish oil may worsen acne for some people.

Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can help your brain in several ways. Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids are associated with certain mental health conditions.

Fish oil can decrease inflammation, which researchers believe may be a key part of bipolar disorder.

Adding fish to your diet is one way to increase your omega-3 fatty acid intake. A fish oil supplement is another option, but it’s important to discuss this with your doctor first, particularly if you take anticoagulant medication.

Psych Central has a bipolar disorder resource hub you can visit for more information about managing bipolar disorder.

Omega-3 fatty acids for mood disorders

Omega-3 fatty acids are found primarily in fish oil and certain marine algae. Because depression appears less common in nations where people eat large amounts of fish, scientists have investigated whether fish oils may prevent and/or treat depression and other mood disorders. Two omega-3 fatty acids — eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) — are thought to have the most potential to benefit people with mood disorders.

How might omega-3s improve depression?

Different mechanisms of action have been proposed. For example, omega-3s can easily travel through the brain cell membrane and interact with mood-related molecules inside the brain. They also have anti-inflammatory actions that may help relieve depression.

More than 30 clinical trials have tested different omega-3 preparations in people with depression. Most studies have used omega-3s as add-on therapy for people who are taking prescription antidepressants with limited or no benefit. Fewer studies have examined omega-3 therapy alone. Clinical trials typically use EPA alone or a combination of EPA plus DHA, at doses from 0.5 to 1 gram per day to 6 to 10 grams per day. To give some perspective, 1 gram per day would correspond to eating three salmon meals per week.

Meta-analyses (research that combines and analyzes results of multiple studies) generally suggest that the omega-3s are effective, but the findings are not unanimous because of variability between doses, ratios of EPA to DHA, and other study design issues. The most effective preparations appear to have at least 60% EPA relative to DHA. While DHA is thought to be less effective as an antidepressant, it may have protective effects against suicide. Recent work at Massachusetts General Hospital and Emory University suggests that depressed individuals who are overweight and have elevated inflammatory activity may be particularly good candidates for EPA treatment.

Children and adolescents with depression may also benefit from omega-3 supplementation. At Harvard, there is a large study underway examining whether omega-3 supplementation (alone or in combination with vitamin D) can prevent depression in healthy older adults.

Omega-3s for other mental health conditions

Omega-3s have been studied in various mood disorders, such as postpartum depression, with some promising results. In bipolar disorder (manic depression), the omega-3s may be most effective for the depressed phase rather than the manic phase of the illness. The omega-3s have also been proposed to alleviate or prevent other psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and attention deficit disorder. However, there is still not enough evidence to recommend the omega-3s in these conditions.

What dose of omega-3s is beneficial?

Doses for depression range from less than 1 g/day to 10 g/day, but most studies use doses between 1 and 2 g/day. In my practice, I recommend 1 to 2 g/day of an EPA+DHA combination, with at least 60% EPA, for major depression. I am more cautious in patients with bipolar depression, because the omega-3s may bring on mania, as can most antidepressants. In these individuals, I recommend using omega-3 cautiously, and preferably in combination with a prescription mood stabilizer.

Side effects and other safety considerations

Omega-3s are generally safe and well tolerated. Stomach upset and "fishy taste" have been the most common complaints, but they are less frequent now thanks to manufacturing methods that reduce impurities. Past concerns about omega-3s increasing the risk of bleeding have been largely disproven, but caution is still advised in people taking blood thinners or who are about to undergo surgery. As mentioned, caution is needed in people with bipolar disorder to prevent cycling to mania. Because omega-3s are important to brain development, and pregnancy depletes omega-3 in expectant mothers, supplementation should theoretically benefit pregnant women and their children. Fish consumption in pregnancy is supported by the FDA, but because we do not have long-term data on safety or optimal dosing of omega-3s in pregnancy, expectant mothers should consider omega-3 supplements judiciously.

The bottom line on omega-3s and mental health

Omega-3 fatty acids are promising natural treatments for mood disorders, but we need more research about how they work, how effective they really are, and their long-term safety before we can make conclusive recommendations for people managing mental health conditions or who wish to improve mood.

🎖▷ Why You Don't Have to Worry About Weight Gain With Lamictal

Psychology

5,188 2 minutes read

If you're worried that taking Lamictal (lamotrigine) might cause weight gain, there's good news. It probably won't affect your weight much. If anything, you're more likely to lose weight due to Lamictal than gain weight, but either way, the changes are likely to be pretty small.
The effect of Lamictal on weight has been little studied and various clinical trials have found minimal effect. In fact, some researchers even considered the drug as a possible remedy for obesity and as a remedy for overeating. This information should be reassuring for people with bipolar disorder, as many of the medications used to treat this condition can cause weight gain.

Lamictal findings and weight gain or loss
Lamictal is an anticonvulsant that can be used to treat seizures such as epilepsy. It is also used as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder.
In the first clinical trials with the drug, 5 percent of adults with epilepsy lost weight while taking Lamictal, while 1 to 5 percent of patients with bipolar I disorder gained weight while taking the drug. The researchers do not disclose how much weight patients have gained or lost.
Meanwhile, a 2006 study comparing the effects on weight of Lamictal, lithium, and placebo found that some Lamictal-treated patients gained weight, some lost weight, and most remained about the same weight. Weight changes are usually not many pounds anyway. Obese patients taking Lamictal lost an average of four pounds, while the weight of non-obese patients remained virtually unchanged.
Relationship between weight gain and other bipolar drugs
Weight gain from medications used to treat bipolar disorder is unfortunately quite common. Some mood stabilizers commonly used for bipolar disorder, especially lithium and Depakote (valproate), carry a high risk of weight gain.
In addition, the atypical antipsychotics Clozaril (clozapine) and Zyprexa (olanzapine) tend to cause significant weight gain in people who take them. Finally, some antidepressants, notably Paxil (paroxetine) and Remeron (mirtazapine), have been associated with weight gain.
Therefore, if you are already overweight, you and your psychiatrist may want to consider additional weight gain when determining your bipolar medication regimen. Based on this, Lamictal may be a good choice.
Lamictal as a possible treatment for obesity
Lamictal has also been studied as a possible treatment for obesity in people without epilepsy or bipolar disorder.
In a small clinical study of 40 people conducted in 2006, researchers randomly assigned participants to receive either lamiktal or placebo for up to 26 weeks. Each participant in the study had a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40, placing them in the obese group to the level of severe obesity. Those who took Lamictal lost an average of just over 10 pounds. Those who took the placebo lost about 7 pounds in the meantime, so while those who took Lamictal lost more weight, they didn't lose all that much more.
Another study in 2009 looked at Lamictal as a remedy for overeating. This study involved 51 people with the condition that 26 of them received Lamictal, and 25 - placebo.
Those who took Lamictal lost more weight than those who took placebo (about 2. 5 pounds vs. about one third of a pound) and did have significant improvements in blood sugar and cholesterol lab test results. However, Lamictal did not appear to affect other aspects of the eating disorder when compared to placebo.

Fish oil is a benefit that nature itself gave us

Almost everyone knows the winged lines from the poem, saying that "The whole scientific world knows how healthy fish oil is!". It turns out that these verses tell the truth and everyone knows that fish oil is useful. However, not everyone knows how useful it is for the body. In order to reveal the full range of benefits of fish oil, dozens of studies have been conducted that have come to a certain result.

As a result of long-term research, a number of diseases have been noted in which the mandatory use of fish oil is recommended:

High blood pressure. It turns out that blood pressure rises when there is an increase in the amount of a fatty acid called triglyceride in the blood. Fish oil is a natural component that stops the accumulation of triglyceride in the blood. Even small dosages of fish oil have a positive effect on blood pressure .;
Asthma and other airway allergic reactions. During asthma, bronchial tracts are highly inflamed, and fish oil is able to partially suppress inflammation and stop exposure to attacking allergens .;
Rheumatoid arthritis. During rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system actively attacks all joints as well as other parts of the body, and fish oil contains anti-inflammatory components that relieve swelling. Reduce pain.
Atherosclerosis. During atherosclerosis, hardened fatty plaques stop on the walls of blood vessels. This process leads to the fact that blood cannot flow to the heart in sufficient quantities. The components contained in fish oil help break down fatty plaques and are an excellent prevention of atherosclerosis.
Cardiac arrhythmia. In cardiac arrhythmia, the rhythm of contraction of the main muscle of the human body is disturbed. Studies have shown that fish oil significantly reduces the risk of heart attack.
Bipolar disorders. This condition is serious. Initially, a person's mood often changes, then chronic depression develops, which can lead to a manic disorder. Bipolar disorder is cyclical and difficult to diagnose. Fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acid, which significantly reduces the symptoms of the disease.
Depressive state. The most common cause of depression is hormonal imbalances. Fish oil contains DHA acids, which are necessary for the nervous system to work properly. Scientists note that as a result of research, it was found that people whose blood contains a small amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids are much more likely to suffer from depression.
Cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis impairs normal transport of chloride into cells. The respiratory and digestive systems suffer the most from this disease.
Eczema. During eczema, the skin of a person is very itchy, inflamed, reddened. Fish oil is an excellent remedy for inflammation, therefore it is recommended for use in eczema. Fish oil is good for skin prone to breakouts;
Anemia. With anemia, there is insufficient oxygen in the blood, which transports red blood cells. In combination with other healing drugs, fish oil is an excellent tool to combat anemia.
Osteopros. Osteoporosis significantly changes the shape and mass of the bones of the body. Fish oil contains components, including vitamin D, which improves the absorption of calcium.
Baldness. Fish oil for hair is very useful, it provokes their growth and strengthening of the bulbs.

Read also: human pressure: the norm by age

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The composition of fish oil

Fish oil, so unloved by children, is amazingly useful precisely because of its composition, rich in rare polyunsaturated fats, vitamins and mineral complexes.

According to the structure, fish oil is a mixture of glycerides (oleic acid, palmitic acid), polyunsaturated fats of the omega-6, omega-3 groups, as well as many other acids: butyric, acetic, caproic, valeric. Fish oil also contains iodine, bromine, phosphorus, bromine and other components.

Pregnancy benefits of fish oil

Fish oil is recommended for pregnant women. It turns out that it contributes to the development of the initial coordination of fetal movement.

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