Study Finds Fish Oil Relieves Symptoms of Manic Depression

May 13, 1999 -- Boston and Belmont, MA -- Researchers at Brigham and
Women's Hospital (BWH) and McLean Hospital have found that fish oil
significantly remedies the symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic
depression). Fish oil is especially high in omega-3 fatty acids, a type
of polyunsaturated fat that is associated with other health benefits
such as preventing cardiovascular disease. The study is published in the
May issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, a specialty journal of
the American Medical Association.

"Our study results indicate fish oil does possess elements to stabilize
mood," said lead author Andrew Stoll, MD, of Brigham and Women's
Hospital and McLean Hospital. The four-month randomized study compared
omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and a placebo (olive oil) in 30
outpatients with bipolar disease at BWH. Subjects, including men and
women, from age 18 to 65, were also undergoing their prescribed
treatment during the study. Overall, nine of the 14 patients who
received omega-3 fatty acids witnessed relief of their symptoms, while
only three out of 16 patients who received the placebo witnessed such
relief, according to Dr. Stoll. "Although the data is preliminary, our
study indicates omega-3 fatty acids are safe and beneficial for patients
with bipolar disorder," said Dr. Stoll. "Our finding opens the door for
more research on omega-3 fatty acid's effect on a variety of other
psychiatric disorders, including major depression, schizophrenia and
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)," he said.