Posted by Jedi on January 12, 2006, at 23:48:39
In reply to omega-3's w/ADs, posted by zuma on November 29, 2005, at 14:51:01
> jedi, what brand of omega-3's do you use and where do you purchase? is there any chance of interaction b/n omega-3 supplements and ADs?
Zuma,
Talk about a belated reply. My E-Mail informs me of a response to any threads I'm following. This one must have been restarted, and I missed it, sorry.I've been experimenting with Omega-3s the past few months. I've generally taken small doses of fish oil but lately my dosage has been around 3400mg EPA and 2400mg DHA. I use the Costco, Kirkland brand that is coated to avoid the fish taste.
I noticed a rather high level of insomnia when combining higher doses of Omega-3s with Nardil. Since energy is a major problem with my atypical depression, I took this as a good sign. I've decided to once more wien off Nardil and see what happens. I was at 90mg per day and have been cutting the dosage by 15mg per week. I am currently at 30mg Nardil per day with no return of major symptoms of depression. The other times I've quit Nardil I've almost immediately started another drug trial. This time, if the depression returns, it is right back to Nardil. I don't want to fight another bout of major depression, but if there is any way to get off the meds and still feal OK, I'm going to do it.
My main problem with Nardil is the intense carbohydrate cravings. I've gained and lost 75Lbs several times while on the medication. Currently, my BMI is just over 40. This is what is called morbid obesity and it has started to affect my health. If I can stop the meds and exercise an hour per day, the weight will come back off. I've always been an athlete and even at 285 lbs, my total cholesterol is at 132 and my BP is about 128/78. Packing 100 extra pounds around does tend to slow you down though.
I'm not really basing this trial on anything scientific, just a gut feeling while taking the high dose Omega-3s. There have been some studies on essential fatty acids and depression, a lot more in the area of coronary health. Also, my immunity to colds and upper repiratory infections seems to be better while taking high dose Omega-3s.
Take care,
Jedihttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15907142&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
Drugs. 2005;65(8):1051-9.
Omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Peet M, Stokes C.
Swallownest Court Hospital, Doncaster and South Humber Healthcare NHS Trust, Sheffield, UK. malcolmpeet@yahoo.comThe importance of omega-3 fatty acids for physical health is now well recognised and there is increasing evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may also be important to mental health. The two main omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have important biological functions in the CNS. DHA is a major structural component of neuronal membranes, and changing the fatty acid composition of neuronal membranes leads to functional changes in the activity of receptors and other proteins embedded in the membrane phospholipid. EPA has important physiological functions that can affect neuronal activity. Epidemiological studies indicate an association between depression and low dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids, and biochemical studies have shown reduced levels of omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cell membranes in both depressive and schizophrenic patients.Five of six double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in schizophrenia, and four of six such trials in depression, have reported therapeutic benefit from omega-3 fatty acids in either the primary or secondary statistical analysis, particularly when EPA is added on to existing psychotropic medication. Individual clinical trials have suggested benefits of EPA treatment in borderline personality disorder and of combined omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The evidence to date supports the adjunctive use of omega-3 fatty acids in the management of treatment unresponsive depression and schizophrenia. As these conditions are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus, omega-3 fatty acids should also benefit the physical state of these patients. However, as the clinical research evidence is preliminary, large, and definitive randomised controlled trials similar to those required for the licensing of any new pharmacological treatment are needed.
Publication Types:
ReviewPMID: 15907142 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
poster:Jedi
thread:583494
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20051208/msgs/598560.html