title: Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on improvement of bipolar symptoms: a systematic review.
abstract: The purpose of this review was to examine the current level of evidence regarding the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in improving bipolar disorder symptoms. Of 99 articles meeting initial search criteria, 5 randomized control trials and 2 quasi-experimental studies were selected for review. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was effective in 4 of 7 studies. Those using an omega-3 combination of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexanoic acid demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in bipolar symptoms, whereas those using a single constituent did not. Dosage variations did not demonstrate statistically significant differences. Due to its benign side effect profile and some evidence supporting its usefulness in bipolar illness, omega-3 may be a helpful adjunct in treatment of selected patients. Future studies are needed to conclusively confirm the efficacy of omega-3s in bipolar disorder, uncovering a new well-tolerated treatment option.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY 10032, USA. tst2103@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Turnbull
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cullen-Drill
authors.forename: Arlene
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smaldone
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D018579:Patient Selection; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs