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I read about two successful studies that have been done with the administration of high doses of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil tablets) to people who had manic depression. After a few months, the people who took the fish oil were reported to show such a marked improvement in mood stability that NIMH planned to repeat the study using a much larger population.

Everyone would do well to increase the omega-3's in their diet, since a proper omega-3/omega-6 fatty-acid ratio is crucial to good health. In America, we get a lot of Omega-6 FAs in our diet and very little Omega-3 FAs, unless we eat a lot of fish, like salmon, or flax seeds. In areas where a lot of fish is consumed, rates of depression and manic depression are reported to be much lower than in America, Australia and Europe.

I'll see if I can find the outcome for the NIMH study. I am usually skeptical about these things, but the people who took the fish oil just raved about how much better they felt. Since Omega 3s become part of the structure of our cell membranes, they could be involved in proper signaling between nerve cells and neurons.

best,
risa

I've always heard that fish is "brain" food my whole life. Perhaps there is some key. After all, we take vitamins, etc. because we lack what we need in todays "fast food" and "prepackaged" food society.

Can you buy that over the counter at a pharmacy?

After a few months, the people who took the fish oil were reported to show such a marked improvement in mood stability that NIMH planned to repeat the study using a much larger population.

There's the information as to what Risa was talking about, if anyone is interested in participating in the study. But you have to be over 18 (or your child does).

For parents with OCD kids (obsessive compulsive disorder) and phobic disorders...there is another study... they are testing the use of St. John's Wart (an herb) to treat this.

And for anyone wondering about other illness testing...this site has testing for everything from heart disease, to asthma. It's a great resource if you are into being a guinea pig (or getting progressive treatment free...that's how I prefer to look at it). Or if you just want to see what's up & coming in possible treatments. Clinicaltrials.gov

In my speech in language group for kids with apraxia of speech, there are many parents that have had excellent results from fish oil. Their kids started talking more.

I put my daughter on a generic fish oil last year, and noticed some improvements.

We tried a new fish oil this year, ProEFA. My daughter with apraxia didn't make any noticeable improvements. We think my other daughter's temper tantrums may have gotten worse on the ProEFA, so we have stopped it.

We'll go back to the generic fish oil for the daughter with tantrums.

We also think the fish oil has helped my son with a tic disorder.

Anyway, we don't eat much fish, and I don't think it really hurts, so we'll take it. Manic depression and depression run in our family, and I have read a lot of links about the fish oil, and depression.