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Researchers measured the blood levels of 15 different fatty acids in 42 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder and compared them to 57 controls. The levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were significantly decreased in the bipolar group compared to the controls. DHA is the most important essential fatty acid for brain health in any person, and bipolar patients simply don’t have enough.
Interestingly, bipolar patients had higher levels of other omega 3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). ALA is a fatty acid that is 18 carbons long with 4 unsaturated bonds. EPA is 20 carbons long with 5 unsaturated bonds. DHA is 22 carbons long with 6 unsaturated bonds.
When DHA is not being consumed in the diet then it is possible to elongate ALA into EPA and then into DHA, requiring enzymatic processes. This is not a preferred way to get DHA, as this process is not that efficient in general and some may really struggle. This especially appears to be the case in bipolar, where ALA and EPA are elevated compared to controls but DHA is lower. This means bipolar patients have trouble elongating shorter omega 3 fatty acids into DHA.
Any person prone to mood swings should really load up on DHA, especially in the winter months, as it is required for brain function in general and the lack of it can contribute to mood problems of significance.
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Interestingly, bipolar patients had higher levels of other omega 3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). ALA is a fatty acid that is 18 carbons long with 4 unsaturated bonds. EPA is 20 carbons long with 5 unsaturated bonds. DHA is 22 carbons long with 6 unsaturated bonds.
When DHA is not being consumed in the diet then it is possible to elongate ALA into EPA and then into DHA, requiring enzymatic processes. This is not a preferred way to get DHA, as this process is not that efficient in general and some may really struggle. This especially appears to be the case in bipolar, where ALA and EPA are elevated compared to controls but DHA is lower. This means bipolar patients have trouble elongating shorter omega 3 fatty acids into DHA.
Any person prone to mood swings should really load up on DHA, especially in the winter months, as it is required for brain function in general and the lack of it can contribute to mood problems of significance.
More...