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Australian researchers argue omega-3 fatty acid supplements can help mood disorders but not dramaticically. Omega-3 fatty acids from seafood seem quite important in preventing and perhaps treating depression and manic depression in particular - now called bipolar disorder. In laboratory experiments, omega-3 fatty acids have a role in brain function and studies of seafood consumption have shown that eating fish regularly is associated with a lower risk of depression. Bipolar disorder is a serious condition which usually starts in a person's teens but often isn't diagnosed for many years. The person with bipolar can be delusional at times but doesn't need to have the huge highs that people talk about. It's the depressions which are terrible and where treatment can be life saving. A review in the American Journal of Psychiatry from Australian researchers argues that there is a role for omega-3 fatty acid supplements in mood disorders but that people shouldn't expect anything dramatic. The results from trials are mixed and better ones are needed to find out which supplements and doses are best but overall the findings tend to be positive. When omega-3s work, they make things a bit better but don't necessarily avoid the need for medications.
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