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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by redscarlet on February 15, 2006, at 8:01:07
How much fish oil (Omega 3) do I need to take a day to help with the depression I get from bipolar.
How much EPA & DHA a day is needed.Thank You Very Much
Posted by LOOPS on February 15, 2006, at 8:26:56
In reply to How much Fish oil..., posted by redscarlet on February 15, 2006, at 8:01:07
I would say start with say 1-2g EPA and go from there. I personally feel ok on 2g but I don't take fish oil on its own - I feel that higher doses potentiate anything else I'm taking. Some people have had some anxiety/sleep issues on high dose fish oil, and I myself have experienced a little anxiety on it, but then I was trying to go it alone with fish oil and suffer from anxiety anyway. The EPA seems to work well for depression for me, but only if I reduce my omega-6 consumption in food so it's at a 1:1 with omega-3 (which is difficult as I'm low-carbing).
The EPA in fish oil can also rebuild parts of your brain I've read - the bits that 'shrink' during depression. Stoll recommends always taking vitamins C and E to stop oxidation of the omega 3 (I think that's right).
From my own experience - try to avoid high DHA fish oil - I found everything got worse with too much DHA (in relation to EPA). EPA is the best lipid for anxiety/depression problems IME.
Loops
Posted by blueberry on February 15, 2006, at 17:59:41
In reply to How much Fish oil..., posted by redscarlet on February 15, 2006, at 8:01:07
It's trial and error with fish oil. In one study they used 9g EPA per day for good results. In another though, they found that 1g per day worked better than 4g per day. Some people claim DHA is good for ADD or ADHD, while EPA is good for mood stability, depression, mania, and schizophrenia. One doctor says he starts patients at 1g EPA per day and then if there are no results right away he increases by 1g per week until there are results, with 9g being the upper limit.
I guess you just have to go by how it feels. In any case, I think consensus is emerging that EPA is the good one and that the DHA consumption should be low compared to EPA.
This is the end of the thread.
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