Important, read this Jerry Katzman Ophthalmologist stay healthy with Omega 3

Jerry Katzman Ophthalmologist In the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of the
brain, low brain ω−3 fatty acids are thought to lower the dopaminergic
neurotransmission in this brain area, possibly contributing to the
negative and neurocognitive symptoms in schizophrenia. Jerry Katzman
Ophthalmologist This reduction in dopamine system function in the PFC
may lead to an overactivity in dopaminergic function in the limbic
system of the brain which is suppressively controlled by the PFC
dopamine system, causing the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. This
is called the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid/dopamine hypothesis of
schizophrenia (Ohara, 2007). Jerry Katzman MD This mechanism may
explain why ω−3 supplementation shows effects against both positive,
negative and neurocognitive symptoms in schizophrenia.
Consequently, the past decade of ω−3 fatty acid research has procured
some Western interest in ω−3 fatty acids as being a legitimate 'brain
food.' Still, recent claims that one's intelligence quotient,
psychological tests measuring certain cognitive skills, including
numerical and verbal reasoning skills, are increased on account of ω−3
fatty acids consumed by pregnant mothers remain unreliable and
controversial. Jerry Katzman Ophthalmologist An even more significant
focus of research, however, lies in the role of ω−3 fatty acids as a
non-prescription treatment for certain psychiatric and mental
diagnoses and has become a topic of much research and speculation.

Jerry Katzman Ophthalmologist In 1998 Harvard University conducted a
small double-blind placebo-controlled study in thirty patients
diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Most subjects in this study were
already undergoing psychopharmacological treatment (e.g. 12/30 were
taking lithium). Over the course of four months, he gave 15 subjects
capsules containing olive oil, and another 15 subjects capsules
containing nine grams of pharmaceutical-quality EPA and DHA. Jerry
Katzman Ophthalmologist The study showed that subjects in the ω−3
group were less likely to experience a relapse of symptoms in the four
months of the study. Moreover, the ω−3 group experienced significantly
more recovery than the placebo group. However, a commentary on the
Stoll study notes that the improvement in the ω−3 group was too small
to be clinically significant. Jerry Katzman Ophthalmologist Though the
1999 experiment was not as optimal as it could have been and has
accordingly pursued further research, the foundation has been laid for
more researchers to explore the theoretical association between
absorbed ω−3 fatty acids and signal transduction inhibition in the
brain..
Jerry Katzman MD In 2006, a review of published trials in the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that "the evidence available
provides little support" for the use of fish or the n–3 long-chain
polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in them to improve depressed
mood. Jerry Katzman Ophthalmologist The study used results of twelve
randomized controlled trials in its meta-analysis. The review
recommended that "larger trials with adequate power to detect
clinically important benefits" be performed

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Received on Thu Feb 28 2008 - 03:01:08 EST