Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids: Anxiety & mood disorders

[David Baxter PhD]

Omega-3/ Omega-6 (Bipolar World)

Omega-3 has been a "buzz" word around bipolar sites for the several years (see http://www.bipolarworld.net/Meds_Trt/Alt_trt/fish.html)...

According to Dr Joseph Mercola of the Optimal Wellness Center, Omega-3 and Omega-6 are both essential for good health, but we eat too much of the Omega-6 fats. "The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats is 1:1.", according to Mercola. "Our ancestors evolved over millions of years on this ratio. Today, though, our ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 averages from 20:1 to 50:1! That spells danger for you." Foods rich in Omega 3 are "olive oil, avocados, dark green leafy vegetables, salmon, flax seed oil, walnut oil, nuts, ocean fish, ostrich meat, grass fed beef, bison, and venison", says Mercola. He goes further to say that the Omega-6 oils are too prevalent in our diet and should be limited or avoided. These include corn, soy, canola, safflower, and sunflower oil.

Here is an additional link that lists foods high in Omega-3 and Omega-6.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Udo Erasmus on Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) deficiency

Udo's Oil
Udo Erasmus, the author of Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill (Alive Books, 1993), is probably the name most closely associated with the dawn of our understanding of the importance of EFAs in physical and mental health. What follows is from Udo Erasmus' website at Home - Udo Erasmus:

EFA DEFICIENCY
Every cell, tissue, gland, and organ will fail to function if sufficient levels of omega-6 EFA's are not present in the diet. In the past, such deficiency was rare, but since the advent of low-fat diets, lack of omega-6's has become much more common. Omega 6 deficiency causes the following symptoms:

1. Skin, hair, and nails become defective, leading to ...
o eczema-like skin eruptions
o dry skin and hair; hair loss
o water loss through the skin (dehydration) with attendant thirst
o impaired nail growth

2. Organs fall apart, resulting in ...
o fatty infiltration of the liver; kidney malfunction; dry eyes

3. The brain falls apart, bringing about many changes, including ...
o poor vision; decreased learning ability; lower intelligence
o mood changes; depression; poor handling of stressful situations
o problem behavior; attention deficit; hyperactivity; dyslexia
o motor incoordination; and poor physical performance

4. Glands dry up, failing to make their vital hormones and secretions

5. The immune system falls apart, producing ...
o increased susceptibility to infections; impaired healing of wounds

6. The reproductive system falls apart, and we get ...
o male sterility; and female miscarriage

7. Our joints fall apart, manifesting as ...
o arthritis-like conditions

8. The cardiovascular system falls apart, resulting in ...
o heart beat abnormalities that can lead to cardiac arrest
o sometimes, increased cholesterol

9. Digestion falls apart, leading to ...
o poor digestion of foods; inflammation; leaky gut; food sensitivities
o allergies

10. Growth becomes retarded.

The above list shows some of the serious health concerns from lack of essential omega 6 fats. They are an absolute necessity for life. Adequate Omega 6 intake reverses all of these deficiency symptoms.

Omega 3 deficiency causes:
o growth retardation;
o vision and learning problems; behavioral changes; mental deterioration;
o weakness; motor incoordination;
o tingling sensations in arms and legs.

Researchers agree on these omega 3 deficiency symptoms; but omega 3s often reverse the following conditions, which should therefore be added to the list above:
o high triglycerides; high blood pressure; sticky platelets;
o sub-optimal skin condition; inflammatory skin diseases;
o water retention (edema); inflammation in any tissue in the body;
o auto-immune conditions;
o low metabolic rate; weight gain.

Summary:
EFA deficiency affects cells and tissues throughout the entire body. No part of the body can function without them. EFA supplementation reverses all symptoms of EFA deficiency.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

More information on Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9 EFAs

More information on Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9 EFAs
In addition to the books and websites noted above, information about these EFAs is available from:

• Holman RT, The slow discovery of the importance of omega 3 essential fatty acids in human health. J Nutr 1998 Feb;128(2 Suppl):427S-433S. Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin 55912, USA.
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  Horrobin D.F., Bennett C.N., Depression and bipolar disorder: relationships to impaired fatty acid and phospholipid metabolism and to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, immunological abnormalities, cancer, ageing and osteoporosis - Possible candidate genes. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1999 Apr;60(4):217-34. Laxdale Research, Stirling, UK.
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