By
Peter J. Howe, The Boston Globe
Fish
oil pills may help remedy symptoms of bipolar disorder, sometimes
called manic depression, according to a new study by researchers
from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and McLean Hospital
in Belmont, Mass.
``Our
study results indicate fish oil does possess elements to stabilize
mood,'' said lead author Dr. Andrew Stoll, a psychiatrist on the
staff of both hospitals. Fish oil appears to boost serotonin levels
in the brain, stabilizing mood in a way similar to drugs such
as Prozac or Zoloft, the researchers said.
In
a four-month study, 30 outpatients at the Brigham who have bipolar
disorder got pills containing omega-3 fatty acids, which are abundant
in fish oils as well as in canola and flaxseed oil, or placebo
pills with olive oil, while also receiving their regular treatments
or therapies.
Nine
of 14 patients getting fish oil derived from menhaden, or 64 percent,
reported relief of their symptoms, compared to only 3 of 16 taking
placebos, or 19 percent. The results are in the current Archives
of General Psychiatry, published by the American Medical Association.
Many
other health benefits have already been identified for omega-3
fatty acids, including relieving symptoms of arthritis and heart
disease, reducing women's risk of breast cancer, and preventing
the intestinal ailment known as Crohn's disease.
If
further research bears out the effects, researchers said, fish
oil might be prescribed as a supplement to antidepressant drugs
or lithium for people with bipolar disorder. Omega-3 fatty acids
could also be shown to have a role treating depression, schizophrenia,
or attention deficit disorder, Stoll said.
But
because pharmaceutical companies cannot patent fish oils, government
agencies or foundations will probably need to fund further tests,
Stoll and colleague Dr. Lauren B. Marangell added.
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