Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 3219

Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

omega-3 fatty acids

Posted by Terry on February 24, 1999, at 22:32:10

The National Institutes of Health is reporting on some preliminary data indicating that omega-3 fatty acids (the same ones referred to as "fish oil" or "essential fatty acids") may have some effect on major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. In an NIH workshop late last year, researchers reported that it has been known for almost 2 decades that essential fatty acids protect against heart disease. But now researchers think they may help with some mental illness as well. Studies indicate it does alleviate symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. These are preliminary studies and further research is planned. In the meantime, the NIH is not recommending anyone take fatty acids to treat these conditions, but the Institute's Dr. Joseph Hibbeln says it is safe to take up to three grams (3,000 mg) of an omega-3 fatty acid preparation containing both DHA and EPA (most do have both) daily. He DOES NOT recommend taking the fatty acids INSTEAD of regularly prescribed drugs for these conditions.

 

Re: omega-3 fatty acids

Posted by Sean on February 25, 1999, at 18:45:44

In reply to omega-3 fatty acids, posted by Terry on February 24, 1999, at 22:32:10

> The National Institutes of Health is reporting on some preliminary data indicating that omega-3 fatty acids (the same ones referred to as "fish oil" or "essential fatty acids") may have some effect on major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. In an NIH workshop late last year, researchers reported that it has been known for almost 2 decades that essential fatty acids protect against heart disease. But now researchers think they may help with some mental illness as well. Studies indicate it does alleviate symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. These are preliminary studies and further research is planned. In the meantime, the NIH is not recommending anyone take fatty acids to treat these conditions, but the Institute's Dr. Joseph Hibbeln says it is safe to take up to three grams (3,000 mg) of an omega-3 fatty acid preparation containing both DHA and EPA (most do have both) daily. He DOES NOT recommend taking the fatty acids INSTEAD of regularly prescribed drugs for these conditions.

Oddly enough, I tried taking these because I read
about them helping mental acuity. In my depressed
phases, I often can't think or do anything. I'm
essentially worthless and my right eye droops
down. I sometimes get smell hallucinations. The omega-3
acids did not seem to help significantly for me,
although it is hard for me to tell due to the
capricious behavior of my brain. I know this is
a terrible pun, but it has a mind of its own...

Maybe I didn't take enough?

 

Re: omega-3 fatty acids

Posted by anonymous on February 26, 1999, at 22:14:07

In reply to Re: omega-3 fatty acids, posted by Sean on February 25, 1999, at 18:45:44

> > The National Institutes of Health is reporting on some preliminary data indicating that omega-3 fatty acids (the same ones referred to as "fish oil" or "essential fatty acids") may have some effect on major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. In an NIH workshop late last year, researchers reported that it has been known for almost 2 decades that essential fatty acids protect against heart disease. But now researchers think they may help with some mental illness as well. Studies indicate it does alleviate symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. These are preliminary studies and further research is planned. In the meantime, the NIH is not recommending anyone take fatty acids to treat these conditions, but the Institute's Dr. Joseph Hibbeln says it is safe to take up to three grams (3,000 mg) of an omega-3 fatty acid preparation containing both DHA and EPA (most do have both) daily. He DOES NOT recommend taking the fatty acids INSTEAD of regularly prescribed drugs for these conditions.
>
> Oddly enough, I tried taking these because I read
> about them helping mental acuity. In my depressed
> phases, I often can't think or do anything. I'm
> essentially worthless and my right eye droops
> down. I sometimes get smell hallucinations. The omega-3
> acids did not seem to help significantly for me,
> although it is hard for me to tell due to the
> capricious behavior of my brain. I know this is
> a terrible pun, but it has a mind of its own...
>
> Maybe I didn't take enough?
I hope you have had neuro workups for your symptoms of olfactory hallucinations. I would be concerned about that symptom. There is some research to show that this substance helps in bipolar disorder, but not as a replacement- as was stated above.

 

Re: omega-3 fatty acids

Posted by new on February 26, 1999, at 22:28:59

In reply to omega-3 fatty acids, posted by Terry on February 24, 1999, at 22:32:10

> The National Institutes of Health is reporting on some preliminary data indicating that omega-3 fatty acids (the same ones referred to as "fish oil" or "essential fatty acids") may have some effect on major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. In an NIH workshop late last year, researchers reported that it has been known for almost 2 decades that essential fatty acids protect against heart disease. But now researchers think they may help with some mental illness as well. Studies indicate it does alleviate symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. These are preliminary studies and further research is planned. In the meantime, the NIH is not recommending anyone take fatty acids to treat these conditions, but the Institute's Dr. Joseph Hibbeln says it is safe to take up to three grams (3,000 mg) of an omega-3 fatty acid preparation containing both DHA and EPA (most do have both) daily. He DOES NOT recommend taking the fatty acids INSTEAD of regularly prescribed drugs for these conditions.

I would just like to point-out that you left out a valueable piece of infor. regarding EFA's, they have also been found to be helpful for those with ADHD. Especially those that also have asthma, and allergies and some skin condition such as Eczema. The supposed reason these worked according to the authors who have posted the results and publication at a site I believe at Purdue University, I believe the authors said that the reason they may work is because that people with these conditions may have it partly dure to their body not being able to use EFA's efficiently or becaue there was a lack of enough of this very important nutritious element in their systems. One should note that EFA's are important for any cellular mechanisms in the body and are especially important for neurons. Check out the Purdue site for more info.

 

Re: omega-3 fatty acids

Posted by Terry on February 28, 1999, at 22:48:18

In reply to Re: omega-3 fatty acids, posted by Sean on February 25, 1999, at 18:45:44

Some formulations of omega-3 fatty acids indicate you should take 8 capsules daily to get 3 grams (3,000 mg). They're big capsules and difficult to swallow. Many people find it difficult to take that many large pills on a daily basis. The data are still preliminary, but you might try taking the recommended dose on the bottle and giving it some time, such as a few months, to see if it works.

> > The National Institutes of Health is reporting on some preliminary data indicating that omega-3 fatty acids (the same ones referred to as "fish oil" or "essential fatty acids") may have some effect on major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. In an NIH workshop late last year, researchers reported that it has been known for almost 2 decades that essential fatty acids protect against heart disease. But now researchers think they may help with some mental illness as well. Studies indicate it does alleviate symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. These are preliminary studies and further research is planned. In the meantime, the NIH is not recommending anyone take fatty acids to treat these conditions, but the Institute's Dr. Joseph Hibbeln says it is safe to take up to three grams (3,000 mg) of an omega-3 fatty acid preparation containing both DHA and EPA (most do have both) daily. He DOES NOT recommend taking the fatty acids INSTEAD of regularly prescribed drugs for these conditions.
>
> Oddly enough, I tried taking these because I read
> about them helping mental acuity. In my depressed
> phases, I often can't think or do anything. I'm
> essentially worthless and my right eye droops
> down. I sometimes get smell hallucinations. The omega-3
> acids did not seem to help significantly for me,
> although it is hard for me to tell due to the
> capricious behavior of my brain. I know this is
> a terrible pun, but it has a mind of its own...
>
> Maybe I didn't take enough?

 

Re: omega-3 fatty acids

Posted by Terry on February 28, 1999, at 22:52:37

In reply to Re: omega-3 fatty acids, posted by new on February 26, 1999, at 22:28:59

At the NIH workshop, data were presented from Purdue and The Mayo Clinic, but data were less convincing for efficacy with omega-3 fatty acids for this condition than for depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

> > The National Institutes of Health is reporting on some preliminary data indicating that omega-3 fatty acids (the same ones referred to as "fish oil" or "essential fatty acids") may have some effect on major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. In an NIH workshop late last year, researchers reported that it has been known for almost 2 decades that essential fatty acids protect against heart disease. But now researchers think they may help with some mental illness as well. Studies indicate it does alleviate symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. These are preliminary studies and further research is planned. In the meantime, the NIH is not recommending anyone take fatty acids to treat these conditions, but the Institute's Dr. Joseph Hibbeln says it is safe to take up to three grams (3,000 mg) of an omega-3 fatty acid preparation containing both DHA and EPA (most do have both) daily. He DOES NOT recommend taking the fatty acids INSTEAD of regularly prescribed drugs for these conditions.
>
> I would just like to point-out that you left out a valueable piece of infor. regarding EFA's, they have also been found to be helpful for those with ADHD. Especially those that also have asthma, and allergies and some skin condition such as Eczema. The supposed reason these worked according to the authors who have posted the results and publication at a site I believe at Purdue University, I believe the authors said that the reason they may work is because that people with these conditions may have it partly dure to their body not being able to use EFA's efficiently or becaue there was a lack of enough of this very important nutritious element in their systems. One should note that EFA's are important for any cellular mechanisms in the body and are especially important for neurons. Check out the Purdue site for more info.


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.