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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
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.
Posted by Lao Tzu on July 17, 2008, at 11:47:11
In reply to Essential fatty acids and bipolar/schizo, posted by Lao Tzu on July 17, 2008, at 11:07:04
I also wanted to point out that the correct dosing of fish oil and borage oil seems to be important, as well as the brand you buy. Personally, I like the Eskimo-3 fish oil (product of Sweden) because they come in 500mg capsules supplying 70mg EPA:45mg DHA per capsule. That way I can control the dosage better and only take as many capsules as I need to feel better. For me, I need about 5 Eskimo-3 capsules a day, which would translate into 350mg EPA and 220mg DHA total each day. That's just me. Some bipolars need upwards of 1,000mg of EPA (which seems to be more important than the DHA in fish oil) each day for mood stabilization. I think it depends on the needs of the individual. With borage oil, I did not like the Solgar brand at all. Instead, the Source Naturals brand (which is half the price of Solgar) seems to be "smoother" and more predictable. I take two 1,300mg capsules per day. Also, I don't take all my fish oil and borage oil at once. I spread it out 2-3 times per day, 2 times per day for the borage oil (morning and afternoon) and 3 times per day for the fish oil (morning, afternoon, and bedtime). If you can't find the Source Naturals or NOW brand of borage oil in the vitamin stores, which I can't, I order it online from house of nutrition. Their prices are reasonable (not always cheaper for a lot of products), but the Source Naturals brand of borage oil is really cheap compared to the Solgar brand at the vitamin store. The Eskimo-3 brand you can order online too, but I actually found this brand at my local vitamin store. Another brand of fish oil with a lower EPA:DHA content per capsule is Fishol. I personally don't like the brands of fish oil with real high contents of EPA and DHA per capsule because I can't control the dosage very well, and it's not always correct that more is better. Sometimes less makes all the difference, at least for me. Good luck.
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