14 DAY TRIAL // For years, a class of compounds known as omega-3 fatty acids has been known to improve heart health. Now, a team of experts shows that the chemicals have other positive effects in addition to this one.
The molecules are apparently capable of helping those who suffer from alcohol abuse and a number of psychiatric disorders, investigators at the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) explain.
Scientists here conducted a multi-year study, which in the end revealed that omega-3 supplements introduced in the diets of people suffering from such issues leaves behind molecular evidence of its actions. This demonstrates their existence once and for all.
The lead author of the investigation was IUSM expert Alexander B. Niculescu, MD, PhD. He and his team reported their findings online, in the latest issue of the journal Translational Psychiatry.
Behavioral and molecular benefits of using these acids were first identified in mouse models that had been engineered to display symptoms associated with a condition known as bipolar disorder. Improvements were seen shortly after the omega-3-rich diet, PsychCentral reports.
The bipolar behaviors were normalized nearly immediately, most likely thanks to the actions of the DHA fatty acid, one of the most important and highly-active ingredients in fish oil.
In the new experiments, the animal models that had been engineered to suffer from BPD tended to exhibit symptoms that included maniacal episodes and depression. Niculescu and his group looked at how increase dietary DHA intake influenced these behaviors.
“The mice that were given DHA normalized their behavior, they are not depressed and when subjected to stress, they do not become manic,” the investigator goes on to say.
“When we looked into their brains, using comprehensive gene expression studies, we were surprised to see that genes that are known targets of psychiatric medications were modulated and normalized by DHA,” the team leader adds.
Interestingly, the group also noticed that mice which were given dietary supplements of DHA exhibited more reduced alcohol cravings. “These bipolar mice, like some bipolar patients, love alcohol,” he says.
“ The mice on DHA drank much less; it curtailed their alcohol abusive behavior. We believe a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids may help the treatment and prevention of bipolar disorder, and may help with alcoholism as well,” Niculescu concludes.