Posted by Randal on August 15, 2002, at 13:11:24
In reply to dha and epa ratios, posted by shar on August 15, 2002, at 2:34:32
Shar,
My impression is that DHA is supposed to be more important for pregnant/nursing mothers, although I have to confess my ignorance here.
Here's what I could find about the EPA:DHA ratio:
As I mentioned, the Nemet, et al. recurrent depression study used pure EPA (technically the ethyl ester). The Stoll, et al. bipolar study used a 2:1 ratio (Omega 3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder - A preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial ARCHIVES OF GENERAL PSYCHIATRY 56 (5): 407-412 MAY 1999). As far as I know, these are the only controlled studies for depression/bipolar disorder.In his book, the Omega-3 connection, Stoll says:
p. 208 (page numbers for paperback edition)
"Current evidence is pointing toward EPA as the most mood-promoting agent in fish oil, although further research may show that DHA is important as well. However, there is anecdotal data suggesting that too much DHA relative to EPA may cause a worsening of mood. I therefore recommend using a supplement with as high an EPA content as possible. More systematic studies are required to verify these clinical observations. There are supplements available with EPA to DHA ratios of two-to-one all the way up to seven to one."p. 209 "With the emerging data on EPA, I have begun to use the EPA content alone to calculate dosage requirements"
p. 214 Table "Desireable characteristics of an omega-3 fatty acid supplement (fish oil)
-Highest ratio of EPA to DHA.
...Preliminary data suggests that EPA is the active mood agent of fish oil."
And then there were the emphatic posts here earlier (I don't remember who or when) insisting the the ratio had to be 2:1 and that Stoll's team found that lower ratios threw people into severe depression. I don't know whether this person got their information from the above passages from Stoll's book, or from another source.
Sorry so long-winded!!! Hope this helps.
Randal
> this is so weird. everything I read (except a rare article or two) said it was important to have more DHA than EPA. The brand I got is Carlson's (one of the one's recommended and used in a couple of studies I read) and is 500 DHA to 200 EPA.
>
> So, go figure. I really didn't come across the studies that said it's better to have more EPA.
>
> Shar
poster:Randal
thread:108809
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020814/msgs/116535.html