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Omega-3s for Emotional Well-Being, Mental Health & the Nervous System

Exciting new research demonstrates that the Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA can enhance mood, attention, cognition and adaptation to stress. Numerous clinical trials also support a role for Omega-3s for treating a range of mental health problems, such as depression (both in adults and children), bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While still preliminary, one particular area of investigation that has yielded impressive results is the use of EPA and DHA in children to improve reading, spelling and behavioral problems. Though still in its infancy, the horizon is bright for Omega-3s in the treatment of mental health problems as well as for promoting good overall emotional and cognitive health. The use of Omega-3s for emotional and neural health is now very rapidly expanding given the safety profile and the lack of side effects of Omega-3s.

The Omega-3 essential fatty acids play a vital role in central nervous system function. They comprise a major part of the brain’s gray matter and are important constituents of nerve cell membranes and receptors. Further, Omega-3s are necessary for critical cellular events such as the expression of genes, neurotransmission, and the modulation of ‘second messenger’ systems. Studies of populations have shown a link between Omega-3 deficiencies and higher rates of depression, bipolar disorder, post-partum depression, schizophrenia and suicide. Though it is not known how or why the depletion of Omega-3 fatty acids negatively impacts emotional and neurological health, it is believed by many scientists that a lack of these important, essential cellular nutrients causes nerve cells to function cell less efficiently. Another major theory holds that certain inflammatory byproducts such as interleukins, cytokines and mitogens may be toxic to the nervous system while the Omega-3s, especially EPA, act favorably on neuronal health by exerting powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Depression and bipolar disorder are the two major mood disorders, the former characterized by sustained, debilitating low moods and the latter by moods swings, ranging from depression to full-blown mania. Studies have looked at the use of Omega-3s for both depression, in adults and children, and bipolar disorder, with very encouraging results for both conditions. As an add-on therapy to antidepressant medication, EPA alone demonstrated favorable results in improving symptoms of depression in several double-blind, placebo controlled trials - the gold standard for scientific trials - while a combined EPA/DHA fish oil study similarly yielded beneficial results. Clinical studies for EPA as a monotherapy for adult and adolescent depression are currently underway. Interestingly, DHA alone as a treatment for depression did not yield positive results. While it is not presently clear what dose is best for helping overcome depression, the studies conducted so far suggest an amount at, or above, 1 gram of EPA per day.

Two randomized, double-blind clinical trials for bipolar disorder also show a promising trend – that Omega-3s may help to both stabilize mood and improve the depressive phase of the disorder. (EPA alone was utilized in the study investigating treatment of the depressive phase of bipolar disorder). However, further research is warranted to confirm these studies and to elaborate in more detail the optimal amount of Omega-3s for these conditions. As antidepressants sometimes will exacerbate symptoms of bipolar disorder, the clinical utility of Omega-3s is of considerable interest to many mental-health clinicians and ongoing research will help shed light for their role in bipolar disorder. Another clinical area that scientists are actively investigating is whether Omega-3s may be a potential treatment option for depression for women during and after pregnancy. Omega-3s, especially DHA, are rapidly depleted during pregnancy and lactation, as they offer nourishment for the developing brain. Their absence has been linked not only to depression in adults, but also to post-natal depression in women. Early clinical trials are ongoing and hope to clarify the use of high-purity Omega-3s in women with pregnancy-related mood disorders.

Over the last two decades, research has suggested that children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are lacking in essential Omega-3 fatty acids, and that lower levels of Omega-3s are associated with more learning and behavioral problems among these children. While not conclusively established, some preliminary studies suggest that Omega-3s may help ameliorate symptoms of inattention/hyperactivity and dyslexia. The acclaimed Oxford-Durham study, published in the medical journal Pediatrics in May, 2005, sought to establish a role for Omega-3s in the treatment of developmental coordination problems; the study did not yield beneficial results for coordination problems but showed, quite remarkably, that the children given Omega-3s showed significant improvements in reading, spelling, and attention/hyperactivity symptoms as compared to those receiving placebo. The positive benefits of EPA+DHA in the Oxford-Durham study were consistent with findings from ealier studies in which fish oil was helpful for conditions such as dyslexia and ADHD.

Another publicized study published in Pediatrics examined the impact of taking Omega-3s in pregnancy and lactation, and found that children whose mother’s consumed higher amounts Omega-3s, in particular DHA, had higher intelligence and mental processing scores at the age of 4. Improving overall cognitive function in children with Omega-3s, and potentially helping overcome more disabling symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity, is another very promising and exciting arena for Omega-3 research.

Increased consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids, in one study of middle-age subjects, was shown to enhance cognitive performance, especially with regard to processing speed and overall cognition. As with the mood enhancing properties of EPA and DHA, various explanations have been put forth to explain such cognitive benefits, including enhanced cellular membrane fluidity, neurotransmission and ‘synaptic plasticity’ – referring to the multifold interconnections between nerve cells. Also, the reduction of inflammatory molecules, resulting from the anti-inflammatory effects of EPA, is another mode of action hypothesized to explain such cognitive improvement. Preliminary clinical research in human subjects now also suggests that Omega-3s, especially EPA, may lead to attenuated fear and anxiety responses, potentially by way of dampening prostaglandin synthesis.

The bottom-line - the evidence is strong and compelling that Omega-3s can help support the human nervous system and enhance mood, attention and cognition. Scientific evidence also suggests that essential Omega-3 fatty acids also may help the body adapt to stress and boost children’s cognitive abilities across a wide spectrum. This may be only the tip of the iceberg for Omega-3s, and future research will help demonstrate what is under the surface.

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