If you, like me, have a loved family member or friend with Bipolar Disorder (BD), you understand what a devastating disorder this can be. Persons suffering from this condition are characterized as having one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition and mood with or without other episodes of depression.  Persons may cycle in and out of these different levels, so-called "rapid cyclers", or may have infrequent episodes interspersed with prolonged spells of "normal energy states." There is a strong association of mania and creativity. Many of history's most innovative and creative individuals have probably been sufferers of BD such as the artist Vincent van Gogh. But the euphoria and artistic creativity of mania carry a heavy price. In severe episodes, there can be delusions and hallucinations. There is also increased risk of suicide, especially during the depressive spell.  Episodes of abnormality bring distress and disruption to patients and families alike. 

The full pathophysiology of this disorder is not known, but a new study sheds hope for treatment and possible prevention. The study caught my eye because it is not often that nutrition is recognized in conventional medicine as causative for medical disease, so I read the study with enthusiasm. In nutritional medicine it has long been known that Omega -3 deficiency is associated with depression. This study was recently published in a mainstream medical journal showing the animal model for BD.

The Omega-3 Fatty Acids were proven to reduce the incidence of Bipolar type behaviors in the rats and to protect the neurons of the brain and central nervous system from oxidative stress. It is recognized that BD is a disorder of neuron processing and cognition. Protection of the neuron sheath and cell membrane provides normal cognitive function. In addition to the protective effects, the Omega-3's also reduced inflammation and increased oxygen and nutrition to neurons.  It was proposed that deficiency of these important fats in our diet is involved in the pathogenesis of BD.

What does this mean for our daily health? 

Inclusion of healthy fats in our diets is important for our mental health, especially in the prevention of such mood disorders as anxiety and depression. The healthy fats we need are medically termed "Essential Fatty Acids" because our bodies cannot produce them and we must obtain them through our diet. The typical American diet is high in over-processed foods and deficient in Omega-3's in particular.

How can we insure that we get these necessary fats?  What are the best sources?

Fish and krill oil are the most potent sources.  We cannot, however, safely consume large amounts of fish to supply this nutritional requirement.  The mercury and other environmental pollutants have rendered most fish unsafe.  The exceptions are wild caught fish such as salmon. (See my previous articles on the topic of mercury poisoning in fish.) 

Poor quality fish oils can be dangerous.

Fish and krill oil are very susceptible to oxidation. Oxidation causes fats to go rancid.  Rancid fats should never be consumed. Oxidized fats are inflammatory in the body contributing to heart disease, rapid aging and degenerative disease. Quality extraction of the Omega-3's is done through low temperature distillation processes using CO2 and excluding all oxygen. This supercritical fluid extraction is technically challenging and is only done by high quality laboratories. 

In my office I only offer products which conform to very specific standards of quality.  Be sure your fish oil products are of guaranteed quality.  (If you wish to learn more, go to YouTube "Omega-3 Fish Oil and Supercritical CO2 Extraction.")>

Contact me at fsmith@forrestsmithmd.com