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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Elayne on March 24, 2002, at 7:59:29
Is anyone successfully using omega-3 fatty acids as mood stabilizers or antidepressants? If so, what dose, product? Adjunctively or alone? If you responded, how long did it take? Side effects?
Posted by Ritch on March 24, 2002, at 10:04:52
In reply to Omega-3 Fatty acids as mood stabilizers, posted by Elayne on March 24, 2002, at 7:59:29
> Is anyone successfully using omega-3 fatty acids as mood stabilizers or antidepressants? If so, what dose, product? Adjunctively or alone? If you responded, how long did it take? Side effects?
Hi Elayne,
I have been taking 1 gelcap of Flax Oil every day as an adjunct to other meds and it does seem to help some. Most people say you will need to take quite a bit more. I get diarrhea if I take more than one. The fish oil stuff will cause less problems with that, but if you have problems with reflux-you will get "fishy burps".
Mitch
Posted by Elayne on March 24, 2002, at 10:30:03
In reply to Re: Omega-3 Fatty acids as mood stabilizers » Elayne, posted by Ritch on March 24, 2002, at 10:04:52
Posted by crepuscular on March 24, 2002, at 17:28:43
In reply to Omega-3 Fatty acids as mood stabilizers, posted by Elayne on March 24, 2002, at 7:59:29
yes, i've taken the enteric coated fish oil product called Fisol at 6grams/day for about six months. the effect is not strong, but it is real as i've experimented with going off of it, then returning.
to me, fish oil seems to facilitate a certain resilience of mood and elevate it by about 15%. to put this in perspective, zoloft would be about a 50% increase in mood and daily aerobic exercise about 25%. so it's not a great effect, but has a certain quality of stabilization to it.
my 2c...
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 24, 2002, at 19:32:12
In reply to Omega-3 Fatty acids as mood stabilizers, posted by Elayne on March 24, 2002, at 7:59:29
I've taken that product for a few months, 3-4 pills a day but I couldn't tell if they were working or not so i stopped taking them. Nature's way products are kind of expensive but they are required to meet stict German government purity & quality standards, plus their "Fisoil" fish oil doesn't give you fishy burps- enteric coated. But your turds/farts will smell like a salmon fish cannery!
Posted by JohnX2 on March 25, 2002, at 0:49:10
In reply to Omega-3 Fatty acids as mood stabilizers, posted by Elayne on March 24, 2002, at 7:59:29
I get a fairly profound effect if I take 2 tablespoons a day of a good cold pressed (i.e. refrigerated) bottle of Flaxseed oil. I use a brand called Spectrum. This has some of the same goodies as in the omega-3 if memory serves me correct. It takes too many of the pills (like 8) to get a therapeutic effect in my experience. Also I believe it is best to buy a quality cold-pressed bottle from a good health food store with a fridge (not pills sitting on a shelf). Just my opinion.Regards,
John
> Is anyone successfully using omega-3 fatty acids as mood stabilizers or antidepressants? If so, what dose, product? Adjunctively or alone? If you responded, how long did it take? Side effects?
Posted by Elayne on March 25, 2002, at 19:41:33
In reply to Re: Omega-3 Fatty acids as mood stabilizers » Elayne, posted by JohnX2 on March 25, 2002, at 0:49:10
John,
Thanks for the info. (I think that I'd go with the capsules rather than the liquid, though -- 2 T of liquid oil sounds like a lot to choke down.)
Elayne>
> I get a fairly profound effect if I take 2 tablespoons a day of a good cold pressed (i.e. refrigerated) bottle of Flaxseed oil. I use a brand called Spectrum. This has some of the same goodies as in the omega-3 if memory serves me correct. It takes too many of the pills (like 8) to get a therapeutic effect in my experience. Also I believe it is best to buy a quality cold-pressed bottle from a good health food store with a fridge (not pills sitting on a shelf). Just my opinion.
>
> Regards,
> John
>
>
> > Is anyone successfully using omega-3 fatty acids as mood stabilizers or antidepressants? If so, what dose, product? Adjunctively or alone? If you responded, how long did it take? Side effects?
Posted by Elayne on March 25, 2002, at 20:35:41
In reply to Nature's Way Fisoil Enteric Coated no fishy burps, posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 24, 2002, at 19:32:12
So...
Some stabilization, but fishy farts. Hmm.
Posted by Zo on March 26, 2002, at 4:38:44
In reply to Omega-3 Fatty acids as mood stabilizers, posted by Elayne on March 24, 2002, at 7:59:29
My pdoc did put me on a trail of Omega-3, before the Lamictal, last summer---just in case it worked. It does work, for a smallish percentage of BiPolars. It didn't for me. Three weeks is all it takes. . .and the only source he could recommend with the right EPA to EFA balance, which is the crucial factor, is OmegaBrite, on the web. I have the protocol somewhere here, if you need it. No side effects--just, nothing.
Zo
Posted by JohnX2 on March 26, 2002, at 5:09:40
In reply to Re: Omega-3 Fatty acids as mood stabilizers » Elayne, posted by Zo on March 26, 2002, at 4:38:44
I had a *profound* effect. I had incredible dreams on the oils and a marked anxiolytic effect. I also became a bit weak. After 3 weeks however I woke up with a bad, mysterious, chronic, tension headache and had to give up the oil. Isn't that weird? It fixed some inflammitory problems I was having too (arthritic, raynauds).I know I get none of these fats in my crummy diet.
John
> My pdoc did put me on a trail of Omega-3, before the Lamictal, last summer---just in case it worked. It does work, for a smallish percentage of BiPolars. It didn't for me. Three weeks is all it takes. . .and the only source he could recommend with the right EPA to EFA balance, which is the crucial factor, is OmegaBrite, on the web. I have the protocol somewhere here, if you need it. No side effects--just, nothing.
>
> Zo
Posted by Steeler Tookahn on March 26, 2002, at 10:34:22
In reply to Re: Omega-3 Fatty acids as mood stabilizers » Zo, posted by JohnX2 on March 26, 2002, at 5:09:40
I've been taking the Omega Brite brand fish oils for depresion for some months now. It hasn't helped the depression but has SIGNIFICANTLY lowered my cholesterol and tryglicerides.
Posted by Ron Hill on March 26, 2002, at 13:11:51
In reply to Re: Omega-3 Fatty acids as mood stabilizers » Zo, posted by JohnX2 on March 26, 2002, at 5:09:40
> I had a *profound* effect. I had incredible dreams on the oils and a marked anxiolytic effect. I also became a bit weak. After 3 weeks however I woke up with a bad, mysterious, chronic, tension headache and had to give up the oil. Isn't that weird? It fixed some inflammitory problems I was having too (arthritic, raynauds).
----------------------John,
How much did you take to get the initial beneficial effects? Thanks.
-- Ron
Posted by Elayne on March 26, 2002, at 19:59:38
In reply to Re: Omega-3 Fatty acids as mood stabilizers » Elayne, posted by Zo on March 26, 2002, at 4:38:44
> My pdoc did put me on a trail of Omega-3, before the Lamictal, last summer---just in case it worked. It does work, for a smallish percentage of BiPolars. It didn't for me. Three weeks is all it takes. . .and the only source he could recommend with the right EPA to EFA balance, which is the crucial factor, is OmegaBrite, on the web. I have the protocol somewhere here, if you need it. No side effects--just, nothing.
Hi Zo,
Do you remember what dose he suggested? Thanks much.
Elayne
>
> Zo
This is the end of the thread.
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